[Oral cancer chemotherapy in the clinic]

Abstract

The present status of oral chemotherapeutic agents and the treatment of cancer were reviewed. Twenty anticancer agents are commercially available in Japan excluding hormonal and BRM agents. Cancers for the outpatient chemotherapy are limited because useful drugs are few for such circumstances. Now new potent agents such as S-1, capecitabine and molecular targeting are available. This kind of chemotherapy is needed for growing number of elderly patients for QOL and medical cost.