The Confused Cancer Patient: A Case of 5-Fluorouracil—Induced Encephalopathy
1
Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
2
Division of Medical Oncology, Odette Cancer Center, Toronto, ON, Canada
3
Odette Cancer Center, 2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, ON M4N 3M5, Canada
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Curr. Oncol. 2008, 15(5), 234-236; https://doi.org/10.3747/co.v15i5.252
Submission received: 5 July 2008
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Revised: 6 August 2008
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Accepted: 7 September 2008
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Published: 1 October 2008
Abstract
The fluorinated pyrimidine 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is an anticancer agent used in most adjuvant and palliative treatment regimens for colorectal cancer. Neurotoxicities are considered extremely rare side effects of 5-FU. Here, we report a case of 5-FU–induced encephalopathy, manifesting as seizures and delirium, in an era of oxaliplatin-containing chemotherapy. If ammonia levels are elevated, lactulose may be considered in the initial management of neuropsychiatric complications from 5-FU.
Keywords:
colorectal cancer; 5-fluorouracil; oxaliplatin; chemotherapy; complications
Share and Cite
MDPI and ACS Style
Cheung, W.Y.; Fralick, R.A.; Cheng, S. The Confused Cancer Patient: A Case of 5-Fluorouracil—Induced Encephalopathy. Curr. Oncol. 2008, 15, 234-236. https://doi.org/10.3747/co.v15i5.252
AMA Style
Cheung WY, Fralick RA, Cheng S. The Confused Cancer Patient: A Case of 5-Fluorouracil—Induced Encephalopathy. Current Oncology. 2008; 15(5):234-236. https://doi.org/10.3747/co.v15i5.252
Chicago/Turabian StyleCheung, W. Y., R. A. Fralick, and S. Cheng. 2008. "The Confused Cancer Patient: A Case of 5-Fluorouracil—Induced Encephalopathy" Current Oncology 15, no. 5: 234-236. https://doi.org/10.3747/co.v15i5.252
