Abstract P5-12-03: Withdrawn

This abstract was withdrawn by the authors.

Carcinosarcoma of the colon. Report of a unique case with light and immunohistochemical studies

A unique case of carcinosarcoma of the colon is reported. The tumor invaded the bowel wall deeply, metastasized widely, resisted multi-agent chemotherapy, and caused the patient's death 4 years later. The tumor was composed of adenosquamous carcinoma admixed with sarcoma showing osseous, cartilaginous, and nonspecific spindle-cell differentiation. Although carcinoembryonic antigen appeared limited to carcinoma cells, cytokeratin immunoreactivity was observed in both carcinoma and sarcoma cells. Like carcinosarcomas at other body sites, the finding of cytokeratin in sarcoma cells supports partial epithelial differentiation in this component, likely retained from carcinoma precursor cells.

Carcinosarcoma of the colon. Report of a unique case with light and immunohistochemical studies

A unique case of carcinosarcoma of the colon is reported. The tumor invaded the bowel wall deeply, metastasized widely, resisted multi-agent chemotherapy, and caused the patient's death 4 years later. The tumor was composed of adenosquamous carcinoma admixed with sarcoma showing osseous, cartilaginous, and nonspecific spindle-cell differentiation. Although carcinoembryonic antigen appeared limited to carcinoma cells, cytokeratin immunoreactivity was observed in both carcinoma and sarcoma cells. Like carcinosarcomas at other body sites, the finding of cytokeratin in sarcoma cells supports partial epithelial differentiation in this component, likely retained from carcinoma precursor cells.

Combination chemotherapy (5-fluorouracil, methyl-CCNU, mitomycin C) versus 5-fluorouracil alone for advanced previously untreated colorectal carcinoma. A phase III study of the Piedmont Oncology Association

One-hundred thirty eligible patients with advanced colorectal carcinoma who had received no prior chemotherapy were randomized to either methyl-CCNU, 70 mg/m2 orally every 6 weeks on day 1, mitomycin C, 10 mg/m2 intravenously every 6 weeks on day 1, and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), 400 mg/m2 intravenously weekly--(MMF)--or 5-FU, 600 mg/m2 intravenously weekly (5-FU). One hundred twenty-six patients are evaluable for response. Of 62 patients treated with MMF, one (2%) achieved complete remission, and three (5%) attained partial remission. Of 64 patients treated with 5-FU, two (3%) achieved complete remission, and eight (13%) attained partial remission. The median survival for patients receiving MMF was 9.5 months compared with 10.3 months for patients receiving 5-FU. The survival distributions for the two regimens were not significantly different, either unadjusted or adjusted for pretreatment characteristics. Performance status and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) were both significantly associated with survival. Patients with liver metastases only and normal liver function tests had a median survival of 19.8 months and a 40% response rate. This randomized phase III trial did not show any therapeutic advantage for MMF compared to 5-FU therapy alone in advanced colorectal cancer. In addition, hematologic toxicity was significantly greater with the combination (MMF) regimen.

Cytotoxic chemotherapy and androgen priming in patients with advanced carcinoma of the prostate. A phase II trial of the Piedmont Oncology Association

Twenty-three patients with advanced prostatic cancer refractory to hormonal therapy were entered into a phase II study of cytotoxic chemotherapy combined with androgen priming. Patients received vincristine 0.5 mg on day 1; fluoxymesterone 10 mg p.o. TID, days 1-5; methotrexate 4 mg/m2 p.o., days 1-7; and cyclophosphamide 500 mg/m2 I.V., day 8. Patients entered had no prior chemotherapy, most were symptomatic but ambulatory (18/23), and almost all had bone metastases (22/23). There were two stable responses and 14 progressions in 16 patients evaluable for response. Hematologic and gastrointestinal toxicities were substantial. Androgen priming was an unsatisfactory method of improving response in this trial.