RM-018 Precise selection of metastatic gastric cancer patients for first line, docetaxel based chemotherapy: a retrospective study

Introduction: In developing countries most of the patients present with advanced disease. Thus chemotherapy has very small impact on overall survival. That's why patients selection for chemotherapy should be with cautiously. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prognostic factors for response and survival in advanced gastric cancer patients undergoing first-line docetaxel based palliative chemotherapy. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 84 locally advanced or metastatic gastric cancer patients who were treated with docetaxel and cisplatin plus fluorouracil (DCF) as first-line treatment between June 2009 and August 2012. Results: Important nine variables were chosen to have prognostic significance: performance status, histology, haemoglobin, weight loss, bone metastasis, peritoneum metastasis, ascites, albumin, and lung metastasis. Multivariate analysis by Cox proportional hazard model, and univariate analysis, show that histology, serum hemoglobin level, peritoneum metastasis, weight loss, ascites level to be independent variables. Conclusion: Performance status, weight loss, histology, peritoneum metastasis, ascites and serum hemoglobin level were identified as most important prognostic factors in advanced gastric cancer patients. These findings may provide valuable base for through workup by the health care professionals or physician for selecting patients for treatment.