[Complete remission of esophageal undifferentiated carcinoma with nedaplatin and 5-FU chemotherapy and endoesophageal brachytherapy].

The patient was a 74-year-old female. Type 1 undifferentiated carcinoma (non-small cell type) was detected in the middle of the thoracic esophagus in August 1999. Although the lesion was diagnosed as T2, N0, and Stage II, the patient was judged to be a poor risk, inoperable case because of a complex past history of renal and respiratory dysfunctions, and dysbasia. Intravenous administration of nedaplatin at 15.8 mg/m2 and 5-FU 590.6 mg/m2 were carried out for 5 consecutive days as chemotherapy. The second cycle of chemotherapy was performed with nedaplatin reduced to 11.8 mg/m2 on the basis of the adverse reactions observed after the first cycle, and PR was attained. As for radiotherapy, additional extracorporeal irradiation was judged to be too dangerous from her history, so endoesophageal brachytherapy alone was added, and CR was obtained. The patient has maintained a CR for more than 2 years after discharge. In this poor risk case with a highly malignant undifferentiated carcinoma, an "individualization strategy" was effective.