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Fluorouracil in chemoprophylaxis of colorectal cancer

Results of a controlled clinical trial

  • Published:
Diseases of the Colon & Rectum

Abstract

In a randomized prospective clinical trial in 128 patients undergoing radical surgical resection of primary colorectal cancer, 63 patients received intravenous fluorouracil (5-FU) in two courses, four and eight weeks after surgery; 65 controls received no chemotherapy. The duration of follow-up exceeded five years in all cases, and 28 patients have died in each group. Recurrent disease was present in 26 5-FU patients (41.2 percent) and in 22 controls (33.9 percent). There is no evidence that short-term 5-FU therapy was of significant value in the chemoprophylaxis of colorectal cancer.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Level 6, Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford), Barrack Road, EX2 5DW, Exeter, UK

    T. Irvin Ch.M., F.R.C.S., K. D. J. Vowles F.R.C.S. & M. G. Golby Ch.M., F.R.C.S.

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  1. T. Irvin Ch.M., F.R.C.S.
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  2. K. D. J. Vowles F.R.C.S.
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  3. M. G. Golby Ch.M., F.R.C.S.
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Irvin, T., Vowles, K.D.J. & Golby, M.G. Fluorouracil in chemoprophylaxis of colorectal cancer. Dis Colon Rectum 29, 704–706 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02555313

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02555313

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