The spectrum of 5-fluorouracil cardiotoxicity

Abstract

Cardiotoxicity is a rare but serious complication of 5-fluorouracil therapy. Coronary vasospasm and, less frequently, acute myocarditis have been identified as underlying mechanisms. We report a case of severe toxicity in a relatively young and fit male patient being treated for metastatic colonic adenocarcinoma displaying characteristics that cannot be explained by either mechanism alone.