5-flourouracil-induced encephalopathy in Parkinson's disease

Abstract

A 59 year-old male with Parkinson's disease developed encephalopathy during adjuvant treatment of rectal cancer. Acute neurot-oxicity related to high dose 5-Flourouracil infusion is well described, but encephalopathy with low dose bolus 5-Flourouracil is rare. The advanced Parkinson's disease patients may be more prone to hyperammonemia associated encephalopathy caused by 5-Flourouracil. The prompt recognition of the symptoms is key to diagnosis and treatment.