Vincristine-induced dysphagia

Dysphagia was observed in two patients receiving combination chemotherapy for metastatic carcinoma of the breast. Results of esophagogram and esophagoscopy were unremarkable. Vincristine, an anticancer drug, was incriminated as the causative agent. Cessation of vincristine therapy resulted in definite improvement. In one patient, inadvertent administration of vincristine caused prompt recurrence of dysphagia, which again disappeared upon discontinuation of the drug. The major toxicity of vincristine is neurologic. The exact mechanism for vincristine-induced dysphagia is unknown, but it does appear to be reversible.