[Three cases of gastric cancer with para-aortic lymph node metastases succesfully treated by S-1/CDDP combination therapy followed by curative resection].

Due to advanced gastric cancer with abdominal para-aortic lymph node metastases, we performed a curative operation in three cases in which S-1/CDDP combination therapy proved effective. In case 1, after only one course of this chemotherapy, the reduction of the primary lesion was slight, but para-aortic metastatic lymph nodes were remarkably reduced. We performed a curative operation with complete D3 lymph node dissection. In case 2, after two courses the reduction of the primary lesion was remarkable, and para-aortic metastatic lymph nodes almost disappeared. Therefore, we performed a curative operation with D2 lymph node dissection. In case 3, after two courses the reduction of the primary lesion was cicatrized. Although para-aortic metastatic lymph nodes were gradually reduced, one of them increased after the third period of treatment. Therefore, we performed a curative operation with complete D2 lymph node dissection and 16b1 lateral lymph node dissection. All underwent postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy, and have been surviving for 58 months, 42 months, and 18 months, respectively. In advanced gastric cancer with para-aortic lymph node metastases without other non-curative factors, long-term survival can be expected by combining a curative operation with S-1/CDDP combined therapy.