[Weekly paclitaxel therapy leading to complete disappearance of multiple liver metastases and subsequent surgical resection for advanced gastric cancer]

A 59-year-old man visited our hospital. After examination he was diagnosed with advanced gastric cancer with multiple liver metastases. At first, chemotherapy of S-1/CDDP was administered. After two weeks, he had severe diarrhea and anorexia, so the therapy was discontinued. Weekly paclitaxel was selected as the next therapy. Depending on the leukocytopenia, doses and intervals were controlled. After 4 courses, CT and MRI revealed that the liver metastases had disappeared, while the primary lesion remained. Seven months after beginning treatment, distal gastrectomy was performed. After the operation, 6 courses of paclitaxel therapy were given at the same doses and the same intervals as before the operation. Two years have passed since the operation, and no recurrence was seen on CT and MRI. Because of the relatively low frequency of adverse events in the digestive system, continued treatment with paclitaxel is possible. These findings show that paclitaxel is an effective drug for advanced gastric cancer with liver metastasis.