Palliative chemotherapy in colorectal cancer - Results of an inquiry

Background: In the end of 1999 a questionnaire was sent to 600 institutions in Germany dealing with palliative chemotherapy of colorectal cancer. Question: The return rate was 40%. The aim of our study was to investigate how many centers conduct palliative chemotherapy within controlled clinical studies and whether or not there is a correlation between the number of patients treated and the participation of the respective centers in clinical studies. Moreover, it should be clarified if there is a standardized concept for palliative chemotherapy outside of clinical studies. The relevance of the more recent drugs oxaliplatin and irinotecan in the therapy of colorectal cancer was another important aspect. The frequency of using a venous port system for medication was also investigated. Results: The return rate was 40%. 35% of the patients were treated within controlled clinical studies. There was a strong relationship between the number of patients treated in a center and the participation of the centers in clinical studies. A standardization therapeutic procedures outside of clinical studies could not be observed. In palliative chemotherapy of colorectal cancer folinic acid and 5-fluorouracil were predominantly used in first-line as well as in second-line and third-line therapies. In first-line therapy the newer drugs oxaliplatin and irinotecan were usually applied in combination with other drugs. In second-line and third-line therapy they are established as potent chemotherapeutics. The medication was predominantly applied via a venous port system.