An-Najah Staff

The clinical utilization of 5-Fluorouracil and its therapeutic implications were investigated at Al-Watani governmental hospital at Nablus (Palestine). The drug and disease profiles of one hundred and thirty patients suffering from various types of cancers were studied. No correlation was noticed between gender and cancer in general although such correlation might exist among patients with gastrointestinal tract (GIT) cancers. Approximately one third (29%) of those patients were suffering from (GIT) cancers especially colon and liver cancers. The majority (66%) of the patients with GIT cancers were treated with 5-FU. Leucovorin (LV) was used by (68%) of patients suffering from GIT cancers and were receiving 5-FU. Patients, in general, were not exposed to poly-chemotherapy (2.6 drugs/patient). Strong pain killers like morphine were used in approximately 24% of patients having GIT cancers. The utilization of 5- FU and LV is in agreement to the general international recommendations especially among patients with colon cancer. Further national studies are required to investigate cost/effectiveness, dose and drug appropriateness among patients with malignant diseases