[A case of recurrent gastric cancer successfully treated by a combination of CPT-11 and CDDP as the third-line chemotherapy].

We report a case of recurrent gastric cancer successfully treated by a combination of CPT-11 and CDDP as the third- line chemotherapy. A 78-year-old man with advanced gastric cancer underwent a curative distal gastrectomy. Three years later, the tumor marker level began to rise and computed tomography (CT) revealed lymph node metastasis invading the pancreas resulting in pancreatic duct dilatation. S-1 treatment was initiated but was discontinued because of a systemic exanthem. Paclitaxel was administrated as secondary chemotherapy. But, after 2 courses, a further increase in the tumor marker level and portal vein invasion were observed. Combination therapy of CPT-11 and CDDP was administered as the third-line chemotherapy. After 3 courses, the tumor marker level normalized, tumor size decreased, and the invasion was eliminated. Third-line chemotherapy against recurrent gastric cancer should be considered if patient performance status (PS) is maintained.