Cicatricial ectropion secondary to 5-fluorouracil therapy

Four cases of cicatricial ectropion secondary to prolonged systemic administration of 5-fluorouracil are described. In 1 patient ectropion resolved with conservative treatment and discontinuation of 5-FU. Another patient developed the ectropion terminally and died before its resolution. In 2 patients surgical repair of the ectropion was unsuccessful in relieving conjunctival symptoms while 5-FU was continued. With prolonged adjuvant chemotherapy programs utilizing 5-FU, this complication may be seen with increasing frequency. Conservative management should be attempted, and patients with this problem should be reassured that symptoms will resolve when 5-FU is stopped.