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CC BY 4.0 · Indian J Med Paediatr Oncol 2024; 45(06): 546-549
DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1779488
Case Report with Review of Literature

5-Fluorouracil-Induced Leukoencephalopathy: Report of Two Cases and Review of Literature

Supreeth RN
1   Department of Medical Oncology, Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital, Pune, India
,
Sachin Hingmire
1   Department of Medical Oncology, Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital, Pune, India
,
Aniruddha Joshi
2   Radiology, Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital, Pune, India
› Author Affiliations Funding None.
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Abstract

5-fluorouracil (5FU) forms an important component of chemotherapy regimens used in various gastrointestinal (GI) adenocarcinomas and head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. Leukoencephalopathy is a rare adverse effect of 5FU, mediated by hyperammonemia and hyperlactatemia. We report cases of two patients with GI adenocarcinomas who developed neurological symptoms while on 5FU infusion. The neuroimaging and biochemical parameters were suggestive of toxic leukoencephalopathy. They were managed with cessation of the drug and short-term antiepileptic therapy. We also discuss the pathophysiology of this adverse effect and its management.

Keywords

5-fluorouracil - leukoencephalopathy - GI malignancies - neurotoxicity

Patient Consent

None declared.


Author Contributions

S.R.N. wrote the manuscript and contributed to the intellectual content of the study. S.H. and A.J. reviewed the manuscript and contributed to the intellectual content of the study. The manuscript has been read and approved by all the authors and it represents honest work.




Publication History

Article published online:
27 September 2024

© 2024. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

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