FOLFOX versus FOLFIRI: a comparison of regimens in the treatment of colorectal cancer metastases.

Colorectal adenocarcinoma ranks second as a cause of death due to cancer in the Western world. Already at the time of the primary tumor, 15-25% of the patients present with liver metastases while another 20% will develop metastasis following treatment of the colorectal primary. Without any treatment the median survival after the detection of metastases is approximately 9 months, depending on the extent of the disease at the time of diagnosis. Clinical trials with the "FOLFOX and FOLFIRI families" of drugs, designed for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer, their results and the costs of each therapy are examined. For each drug, the cost/mg, the cost/mg/m2 and the cost/therapy (according to its duration) are evaluated according to the prices reported in the Italian Directory of Medicines and Manufacturers, 63rd Edition, November 2003.