title: 5-Fluorouracil induces defects in platelet function.
abstract: Platelet factor-3 (PF(3)) availability and platelet aggregation to ADP (4 micromol/l) and adrenaline (1.2 micromol/l) were evaluated in patients being treated with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) for gastrointestinal malignancy. It produced a significant reduction in platelet aggregation and platelet factor-3 (PF(3)) availability ( P < 0.001) without being associated with thrombocytopenia. The changes in platelet aggregation occurred during the first week of chemotherapy and continued with subsequent courses. This acquired abnormality may be responsible for a haemorrhagic diathesis even without obvious thrombocytopenia. Study of platelet function is important and may be considered to assess the haematological toxicity in patients being treated with systemic 5-FU therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sandilium
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shukla
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pradhan