Case report: Dysphonia associated with high-dose cytarabine therapy
Ling Ma1, Niya Huang1, Haixi Zhang2
1Department of Clinical Pharmacy, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, The Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, China.
Frontiers in Pharmacology
|February 11, 2025
Summary
High-dose cytarabine (HiDAC) can cause dysphonia, a voice disorder, in acute myeloid leukemia patients. This rare, temporary side effect significantly impacts quality of life but is manageable.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Hematology
Background:
- Cytarabine is a cornerstone chemotherapy agent for hematological malignancies.
- Common toxicities include myelosuppression and gastrointestinal issues.
- Central nervous system (CNS) symptoms like tremor and gait disturbances are known side effects.
Observation:
- A case report details dysphonia (voice change) in an acute myeloid leukemia patient receiving high-dose cytarabine (HiDAC).
- The dysphonia emerged three days after the first HiDAC cycle and recurred upon re-administration.
- Crucially, this dysphonia occurred without any accompanying CNS symptoms.
Findings:
- The patient was diagnosed with high-dose cytarabine-induced dysphonia.
- Other potential causes, including vocal abuse, infection, and other medications, were systematically excluded.
- The dysphonia was self-limiting, resolving within 10-15 days post-chemotherapy.
Implications:
- Chemotherapy-induced dysphonia is a rare, often overlooked adverse effect of cytarabine treatment.
- While typically temporary and non-life-threatening, it can significantly reduce a patient's quality of life.
- Awareness among healthcare providers is crucial for timely diagnosis and management, potentially preventing treatment delays.
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