E-ISSN 2602-3164
EJMI. 2024; 8(4): 238-244 | DOI: 10.14744/ejmi.2024.82171

Capecitabine vs. 5-Fluorouracil: A Retrospective Study on Efficacy in Elderly Patients with Advanced Gastric Cancer

Yonca Yılmaz Urun1, Berrak Mermit Erçek2
1Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Van Yüzüncü Yıl University Faculty of Medicine, Van, Türkiye, 2Department of Medical Oncology, Van Yüzüncü Yıl University Faculty of Medicine, Van, Türkiye

Objectives: As the world population ages, the incidence of gastric cancer is increasing. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and adverse events of 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU)- and capecitabine-containing regimens in geriatric gastric cancer patients. Methods: Our study included 258 geriatric patients with relapsed or metastatic gastric cancer at the time of diagnosis who were treated with 5-FU- or capecitabine-containing regimens in the oncology clinic of Van Yüzüncü Yıl University Faculty of Medicine between January 2006-December 2019. The patients were divided into two groups: patients receiving 5-FU-containing regimens and those receiving capecitabine-containing regimens. Medical records of the patients (demographical and clinical characteristics) were analyzed using appropriate statistical methods. Results: A total of 258 patients (181 men and 77 women) were enrolled in the study. 96 patients were treated with capecitabine and 162 patients were treated with 5-FU-containing regimens. There was no statistically significant difference in median OS and PFS between the 5-FU and capecitabine groups (p>0,05). Grade 3-4 neutropenia, grade 3-4 anemia, grade 3-4 thrombocytopenia , and febrile neutropenia were more frequent in the 5-FU group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Capecitabine was as effective as 5-FU. It is also more tolerable in terms of side effects than 5-FU containing regimens. Keywords: Geriatric oncology, gastric cancer, capecitabine


Cite This Article

Yılmaz Urun Y, Mermit Erçek B. Capecitabine vs. 5-Fluorouracil: A Retrospective Study on Efficacy in Elderly Patients with Advanced Gastric Cancer. EJMI. 2024; 8(4): 238-244

Corresponding Author: Yonca Yılmaz Urun

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