[Three cases of corneal disorders associated with an oral anticancer drug S-1].

PURPOSE

S-1 is a new oral anticancer drug containing tegafur, which is a prodrug of 5-fluorouracil. In this report, we describe the clinical features of three patients who suffered corneal disorders that seemed to be caused by S-1 administration.

CASES

One female and two male patients, whose ages ranged from 57 to 69 years, were entered in this study. Between 3 to 14 months after they started oral S-1 therapy, they experienced sudden visual reduction. They all had corneal disorders, which occurred in the inferior and the superior areas, and progressed toward the center. As the corneal disorders invaded the pupil area, the patients noticed visual disturbance. They recovered their vision and their corneal disorders diminished when the drug was discontinued. However, after the drug intake was resumed, the corneal disorders occurred again in some cases. All patients also had lacrimal obstructions.

CONCLUSION

S-1 treated patients should be followed carefully for ophthalmic complications because corneal disorders are likely to appear.