Postchemotherapy rheumatism following adjuvant therapy for ovarian cancer.

The occurrence of a recently discovered musculosceletal pain syndrome, termed postchemotherapy rheumatism, is described in a 52-year-old female who had received adjuvant therapy for ovarian cancer. Although the etiology as well as the pathophysiologic mechanisms of this syndrome remain uncertain, our data support the hypothesis that the alkylating agent cyclophosphamide rather than other chemotherapeutic drugs, corticosteroid withdrawal, or chemically-induced menopause may represent a causal factor.