[Cardiotoxicity of 5-fluorouracil]

Bull Cancer. 2004 Nov:91 Suppl 3:154-8.
[Article in French]

Abstract

5-fluorouracil (5FU) is a largely employed antimetabolite, responsible for several well-known toxicities like hand-foot syndrome, diarrhoea, mucositis or leucopenia. Cardiotoxicity of 5-FU is known but uncommon and usually not life-threatening. The incidence has varied from 1.5 and 18%. The physiopathology is controversial, although more recent data suggest a myocardial toxicity. Clinical presentation include chest-pain, cardiac arrythmia, myocardial infarction or global cardiac failure. Electrocardiographic features are usually aspecific, with ischemic signs. The main treatment is to stop the 5-FU infusion and to introduce symptomatic cardiologic treatment. Although the prognosis is good, the mortality ranges between 2.2 and 13% in case of symptomatic cardiotoxicity. Secondary prophylaxis remains controversial.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / adverse effects*
  • Capecitabine
  • Coronary Thrombosis / chemically induced
  • Coronary Vessels / drug effects
  • Deoxycytidine / adverse effects
  • Deoxycytidine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Electrocardiography
  • Fluorouracil / adverse effects*
  • Heart / drug effects*
  • Heart Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Heart Diseases / therapy
  • Humans
  • Myocarditis / chemically induced

Substances

  • Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic
  • Deoxycytidine
  • Capecitabine
  • Fluorouracil