Systemic chemotherapy does not increase the risk of gastrointestinal perforation Journal Article


Authors: Asmis, T. R.; Capanu, M.; Kelsen, D. P.; Shah, M. A.
Article Title: Systemic chemotherapy does not increase the risk of gastrointestinal perforation
Abstract: Background: Gastrointestinal perforation is a rare complication of gastric cancer. Although there is the perception of chemotherapy aggravating the perforation risk, the rate of perforation in patients with gastric cancer receiving chemotherapy is unknown. This study describes the incidence and clinical course of patients with gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) carcinoma who experience a perforation while receiving chemotherapy. Patients and methods: The records of patients with gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma over a 6-year period who received chemotherapy for locally advanced or metastatic disease were reviewed. Extracted information included demographics, treatment received, and overall survival was calculated. Results: 1032 patients at MSKCC received systemic cytotoxic chemotherapy for locally advanced or metastatic gastric or GEJ carcinoma; 11 patients experienced a perforation (1.1%, 95% CI 0.5-1.9%); 5/11 (45%) patients received further chemotherapy and had a median survival of 5.6 months. Conclusions: The rate of perforation in patients with advanced GEJ/gastric adenocarcinoma receiving chemotherapy is 1.1%, which is the same rate as in surgical series of patients presenting with perforation. Chemotherapy does not significantly add to the risk of gastrointestinal perforation. © 2007 European Society for Medical Oncology.
Keywords: adult; cancer chemotherapy; controlled study; aged; aged, 80 and over; middle aged; major clinical study; overall survival; disease course; squamous cell carcinoma; cisplatin; cytotoxic agent; advanced cancer; antineoplastic agents; capecitabine; demography; morbidity; risk factors; medical record review; risk assessment; docetaxel; irinotecan; neuroendocrine tumor; gastrointestinal neoplasms; survival time; surgery; gastrectomy; stomach cancer; disease duration; mitomycin; stomach adenocarcinoma; digestive system perforation; esophagus carcinoma; lower esophagus sphincter; intestinal perforation; perforation; preoperative chemotherapy; gastric/gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma
Journal Title: Annals of Oncology
Volume: 18
Issue: 12
ISSN: 0923-7534
Publisher: Oxford University Press  
Date Published: 2007-12-01
Start Page: 2006
End Page: 2008
Language: English
DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdm357
PUBMED: 17951596
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI/URL:
Notes: --- - "Cited By (since 1996): 4" - "Export Date: 17 November 2011" - "CODEN: ANONE" - "Source: Scopus"
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MSK Authors
  1. Timothy Richard Asmis
    7 Asmis
  2. Marinela Capanu
    385 Capanu
  3. Manish Shah
    177 Shah
  4. David P Kelsen
    537 Kelsen