Table 1. Demographic and clinical characteristics of the included patients, n (%).
| Features | Megestrol group (n=60) | Control group (n=60) | Total number (n=120) | P | χ2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemotherapy regimen | |||||
| Paclitaxel + cisplatin | 21 (35.0) | 24 (40.0) | 46 (38.3) | 0.527 | 0.320 |
| Docetaxel + cisplatin | 15 (25.0) | 15 (25.0) | 29 (24.1) | 1.000 | 0.000 |
| Etoposide + cisplatin | 5 (8.3) | 10 (16.7) | 15 (12.5) | 0.168 | 1.905 |
| Pemetrexed + cisplatin | 3 (5.0) | 1 (1.7) | 4 (3.3) | 0.309 | 1.034 |
| Fluorouracil + cisplatin | 4 (6.7) | 1 (1.7) | 5 (4.1) | 0.171 | 1.878 |
| Vinorelbine + cisplatin | 1 (1.7) | 0 (0) | 1 (0.8) | 0.315 | 1.008 |
| Irinotecan + cisplatin | 2 (3.3) | 0 (0) | 2 (1.7) | 0.154 | 2.034 |
| Gemcitabine + cisplatin | 8 (13.3) | 8 (13.3) | 16 (13.3) | 1.000 | 0.000 |
| Cisplatin | 1 (1.7) | 1 (1.7) | 2 (1.7) | 1.000 | 0.000 |
| Median age (range) | 54 [26–70] | 61 [25–70] | 56 [25–70] | 0.628 | 0.234 |
| Sex | |||||
| Male | 35 (58.0) | 45 (75.0) | 80 (66.7) | ||
| Female | 25 (42.0) | 12 (25.0) | 40 (33.3) | ||
| ECOG PS* | |||||
| 0 | 14 (23.3) | 13 (21.7) | 27 (22.5) | ||
| 1 | 46 (76.7) | 47 (78.3) | 93 (77.5) | ||
| TNM stage | |||||
| I-III | 30 (50.0) | 33 (55.0) | 63 (52.5) | ||
| IV | 30 (50.0) | 27 (45.0) | 57 (47.5) | ||
| Tumor site | |||||
| Gastric cancer | 11 (18.3) | 19 (31.7) | 30 (25.0) | 0.092 | 2.844 |
| Esophageal cancer | 18 (30.0) | 17 (28.3) | 25 (20.8) | 0.841 | 0.040 |
| Lung cancer | 6 (10.0) | 9 (15.0) | 15 (12.5) | 0.408 | 0.686 |
| Cervical cancer | 2 (3.3) | 3 (5.0) | 5 (4.2) | 0.648 | 0.209 |
| Breast cancer | 5 (8.3) | 2 (3.3) | 7 (5.8) | 0.243 | 1.365 |
| Ovarian cancer | 4 (6.7) | 1 (1.7) | 5 (4.2) | 0.171 | 1.878 |
| Other | 14 (23.3) | 9 (15.0) | 23 (19.2) | 0.246 | 1.345 |
| Risk factors | 8 (13.3) | 11 (18.3) | 19 (15.8) | 0.453 | 0.563 |
| History of previous surgery | 26 (43.3) | 22 (36.7) | 48 (40.0) | 0.456 | 0.556 |
| Previous use history of cisplatin | 32 (53.3) | 28 (46.7) | 60 (50.0) | 0.465 | 0.533 |
| Previous radiotherapy history | 3 (5.0) | 4 (6.7) | 7 (5.8) | 0.697 | 0.152 |
| History of previous chemotherapy | 19 (31.7) | 20 (33.3) | 39 (32.5) | 0.845 | 0.038 |
*, ECOG PS was measured on a 5-point scale, with 0 representing asymptomatic cases. The higher the score, the less suitable for chemotherapy. ECOG PS, European cooperative cancer team physical condition score; TNM, tumor stage.