Pseudomembranous colitis associated with chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil

Clin Transl Oncol. 2005 Jul;7(6):258-61. doi: 10.1007/BF02710173.

Abstract

Pseudomembranous colitis is frequently associated with antibiotics and more rarely with chemotherapeutic agents such as 5-fluorouracil. The objective of this study is to show that it is possible to confuse this infection with chemotherapy associated toxicity. We present a 54 year old woman who underwent surgery for colorectal cancer and in the first cycle of chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil developed pseudomembranous colitis. We detected the toxin B of Clostridium difficile in stools and we began early antibiotic treatment. Thus, in patients with post chemotherapy neutropenia and diarrhoea that develop negatively, we have to rule out this infection.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / drug therapy
  • Adenocarcinoma / surgery
  • Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / adverse effects*
  • Clostridioides difficile*
  • Dihydropyrimidine Dehydrogenase Deficiency*
  • Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous / diagnosis
  • Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous / etiology*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Fluorouracil / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host
  • Middle Aged
  • Shock, Septic / etiology
  • Sigmoid Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Sigmoid Neoplasms / surgery

Substances

  • Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic
  • Fluorouracil