[Histological complete response in a case of primary squamous cell carcinoma of the stomach treated by chemotherapy with docetaxel and cisplatin plus 5-fluorouracil].

The patient was a 68-year-old man with melena. Endoscopic examination revealed a type 2 advanced tumor in the mid body and an elevated lesion in the upper body of the stomach. Biopsy specimens from both lesions were diagnosed histologically as squamous cell carcinoma. Abdominal CT showed thickening of the midbody in the greater curvature and bulky lymph nodes along the lesser curvature (No. 3), and the greater curvature(No. 4d). We diagnosed Stage IIIB (cP0, cH0, cT4, cN1, cM0) cancer, but we concluded radical resection would be difficult due to lymph node invasion to the diaphragm and mesocolon. DCF combination therapy (docetaxel 75 mg/m2 day 1, CDDP 75 mg/m2 day 1, 5-FU 750 mg/m2 day 1-5) was administered. After 3 courses of chemotherapy, endoscopic examination and abdominal CT findings showed remarkable reduction of the primary tumor and the lymph node metastasis, indicating a partial response (PR) to the chemotherapy. After consultation with the patient, total gastrectomy with lymph node dissection (D2) was performed. The pathological specimens showed no cancer cells in the gastric wall and lymph nodes, so the histological effect was judged as Grade 3. This case suggested that DCF combination chemotherapy may prove useful to treat patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the stomach.