Secondary Exposure of Family Members to Cyclophosphamide After Chemotherapy of Outpatients With Cancer: A Pilot Study.
OBJECTIVE
To measure the total amount of cyclophosphamide (CPA) excreted in the urine of patients with cancer and their cohabitating family members seven days after CPA administration.


METHODS
Biological monitoring. .


METHODS
Home setting with outpatients receiving chemo-therapy.


METHODS
8 patients administered CPA, 10 cohabitating family members, and 10 control participants.


METHODS
During the first seven days after CPA administration, urine samples were collected from the participants. The samples were analyzed for the unchanged form of CPA using gas chromatography in tandem with mass spectroscopy.


METHODS
CPA levels .


RESULTS
CPA was detected in 112 of 276 patient urine samples. The last sample containing detectable CPA levels was collected after more than 48 hours in 63% of the patients, with a maximum length of five days post-treatment. In addition, 243 urine samples were collected from family members, and CPA was detected in the samples of five family members (17-252 ng per member). CPA was not detected in any control participants.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings indicate that family members in close contact with patients receiving CPA are at high risk for drug exposure as many as seven days post-treatment .


CONCLUSIONS
Nurses should educate patients and their family members about preventing exposure to antineoplastic drugs in the home setting.
Hokkaido University in Sapporo, Japan.
Michiko
M
Yuki
Fukushima Medical University.
Takashi
T
Ishida
Fukushima Medical University.
Satoko
S
Sekine
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000652:urine*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000652:urine*; D002648:Child; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000652:urine*; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005190:Family; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010045:Outpatients; D010865:Pilot Projects; D018570:Risk Assessment; D055815:Young Adult
D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating; D003520:Cyclophosphamide
chemotherapy; cyclophosphamide; drug exposure; family member