Postchemotherapy rheumatism.
OBJECTIVE
This report describes a previously unreported clinical phenomenon that occurs in some patients after completion of combination chemotherapy.


RESULTS
Eight case reports are presented. Affected patients developed a syndrome of myalgias/arthralgias within several months of completing cyclophosphamide/fluorouracil (5FU)-containing adjuvant combination chemotherapy for breast cancer. These symptoms did not appear to be related to cancer recurrence or any common rheumatologic disorder. The syndrome generally resolved over several months.


CONCLUSIONS
Postchemotherapy rheumatism is a syndrome of myalgias/arthralgias that usually develops 1 to 3 months after completion of adjuvant chemotherapy. Recognition of this syndrome can limit the need for extensive work-ups to exclude recurrent breast cancer or inflammatory rheumatologic diseases.
Loprinzi
C L
CL
Division of Medical Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905.
Duffy
J
J
Ingle
J N
JN
D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*
D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D005472:Fluorouracil