A case of neurotoxicity following 5-fluorouracil-based chemotherapy

Korean J Intern Med. 2002 Mar;17(1):73-7. doi: 10.3904/kjim.2002.17.1.73.

Abstract

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is a commonly used chemotherapeutic agent. However, its neurotoxicity is rare and not well recognized. We report a case of 5-FU neurotoxicity with organic brain syndrome and progression to multifocal leukoencephalopathy in a 44-year-old male patient having malignant gastrointestinal stromal tumor. 5-FU-induced neurotoxicity should, therefore, be considered as an important differential diagnosis in cancer patients with neurological abnormality and history of chemotherapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brain / pathology*
  • Electroencephalography
  • Fluorouracil / adverse effects*
  • Fluorouracil / therapeutic use
  • Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal / diagnosis
  • Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal / etiology
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Neurotoxicity Syndromes / diagnosis
  • Neurotoxicity Syndromes / etiology*

Substances

  • Fluorouracil