Capecitabine and sixth cranial nerve palsy

J Cancer Res Ther. 2010 Jan-Mar;6(1):80-1. doi: 10.4103/0973-1482.63555.

Abstract

Capecitabine is an oral chemotherapeutic agent converted to 5 fluorouracil (5-FU). Neurotoxicity associated with the medication encompasses both central and peripheral nervous systems. We describe a 60 year old man with colonic carcinoma who developed diplopia due to a sixth nerve palsy following the use of capecitabine which is an orally administered prodrug of 5-FU. An MRI of brain did not reveal a space occupying lesion or vascular insult to account for his cranial nerve palsy. The sixth nerve palsy resolved spontaneously once capecitabine was withdrawn. Physicians in all walks of life are increasingly likely to come across such patients and should familiarize themselves with toxicities consequent to chemotherapy. Further research is needed to elucidate the cause of capecitabine associated neurotoxicity.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abducens Nerve Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Adenocarcinoma / drug therapy
  • Adenocarcinoma / surgery
  • Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / adverse effects*
  • Capecitabine
  • Chemotherapy, Adjuvant / adverse effects
  • Colonic Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Colonic Neoplasms / surgery
  • Deoxycytidine / adverse effects
  • Deoxycytidine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Digestive System Surgical Procedures
  • Fluorouracil / adverse effects
  • Fluorouracil / analogs & derivatives*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged

Substances

  • Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic
  • Deoxycytidine
  • Capecitabine
  • Fluorouracil