Capecitabine-induced cerebellar toxicity in a patient with metastatic colorectal cancer.
BACKGROUND
Capecitabine is an oral fluoropyrimidine that was designed to allow selective activation in tumour tissues, thus reducing toxicity. The neurologic toxicity of 5-fluorouracil, the original fluoropyrimidine, including an ataxic cerebellar syndrome is well described. However, only a few case reports exist describing a similar syndrome associated with capecitabine administration.


METHODS
We report a case of reversible cerebellar toxicity during chemotherapy with a combination of capecitabine and oxaliplatin.


CONCLUSIONS
Rare fluoropyrimide-related toxicities are increasingly being reported in association with capecitabine. Clinical vigilance is required to ensure appropriate investigation and treatment.
Gounaris
Ioannis
I
Department of Oncology, Box 193, Addenbrookes Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK. ioannis.gounaris@addenbrookes.nhs.uk
Ahmad
Athar
A
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000069287:Capecitabine; D002526:Cerebellar Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016903:Drug Monitoring; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000556:secondary; D020258:Neurotoxicity Syndromes; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077150:Oxaliplatin; D010166:Palliative Care; D011355:Prodrugs / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds; D011355:Prodrugs; D000077150:Oxaliplatin; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D000069287:Capecitabine; D005472:Fluorouracil