Table 3 Toxicity, dose reduction and reasons for therapy discontinuation (n = 119)
Parameter | i.v., n = 102 (%) | Oral, n = 17 (%) |
|---|---|---|
Toxicity (grade 3 or 4) | 742 AE’s a | 14 AE’s |
Haematological (all grade) | ||
Thrombocytopenia | 38.6 | 30 |
Leucopenia | 27.3 | 50 |
Neutropenia | 16.3 | 10 |
Anemia | 11.6 | 10 |
Febrile Neutropenia | 7 | - |
Non-haematological (all grade) | ||
Ascites | 9.9 | 11 |
Subileus (severe constipation) | 8.6 | 11 |
Constipation | 6.2 | - |
Abdominal pain | 4.9 | 11 |
Ileus (bowel obstruction) | 4.9 | - |
Vomiting | 4.9 | - |
Nausea | 3.7 | - |
Diarrhoea | 2.5 | 11 |
Rectal incontinence | 2.5 | - |
Others (< 1%) | 51.8 | 56 |
Dose reduction (27 of all 421 cycles) | 6.4 | |
(26 of 376 i.v. cycles vs. 1 of 45 oral cycles) | 6.9 | 2.2 |
Prolongation of treatment interval (> 14d) | 25 | 4.4 |
Reasons for early therapy discontinuation | ||
Progressive disease | 42 | 47.1 |
Patients preference | 15.7 | 11.8 |
Other reasons | 15.7 | 11.8 |
Haematological toxicity (grade 3/4) | 11.8 | - |
Dead of tumour | 5.9 | 11.8 |
Non-haematological toxicity (grade 3/4) | 2.9 | 11.8 |
Concomitant disease | 2.9 | 5.9 |
Complete remission | 1 | - |
Main cause of death | ||
Tumour related | 80.4 | 82.4 |
Others | 7.8 | 5.9 |