Purpose: The purpose was to investigate side effects of FEC100 treatment, particularly bone marrow suppression, nausea and vomiting. Patients and methods: We investigated side effects of FEC100 at the time of initial administration in 49 breast cancer patients (including 3 with recurrence). We used a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist as an antiemetic agent, steroids and Haloperidol, an antidopamine agent. Antibiotics were also administered for five days from day 10. Results: The mean nadir of white blood cell count was 1,492+/-575/mL, and the mean day on which the nadir was reached was the 13.0+/-1.45th day. Leukopenia of less than 1,000/mL (grade 4) was seen in 8 (16.3%) of the 49 patients, and the incidence of leukopenia was particularly high (3/6, 50%) in patients with multiple bone metastases. Febrile neutropenia occurred in 4 (8.1%) of the 49 patients, 2 of those 4 patients having multiple bone metastasis. Fifteen (30.6%) of the 49 patients had nausea, and 3 patients (6.1%) had vomiting. Conclusion: The results indicate that side effects of FEC100 treatment are tolerable. However, care is needed for patients with multiple bone metastases because of the strong bone marrow suppression in such patients.

Endo A, Watanabe T, Kodama H, Shiga C, Kikuchi S, Yokota T.

Dept. of Surgery, National Hospital Organization Sendai Medical Center.