Effect of capecitabine combined with radiotherapy for old patients with progressive stage gastric cardia carcinoma

Objective To evaluate the safety and efficiency of capecitabine combined with radiotherapy for the old patients with progressive stage gastric cardia carcinoma.Methods Between July 2003 and December 2009,38 old patients(≥65 years old) with progressive stage gastric cardia carcinoma were treated with capecitabine combined with radiotherapy.All cases were retrospective analyzed.Results All the 38 cases finished the treatment successfully.Median follow-up was 15.5 months.The rates of CR,PR,SD were 5.3%,52.6%,26.3%,respectively,and the effective rate of whole group was 84.2%.The 1-,2-,3-year survival rates were 78.9%,52.6%,36.8%,respectively.There were no treatment-relative mortality and morbidity.The main toxic and side-effect included grade 1 or 2 hematologic and gastroenterological toxicities,and hepatic and renal toxicities were not frequency.Conclusion For the old patients with progressive stage gastric cardia carcinoma,capecitabine combined with 3D-CRT radiotherapy is safe and effective.