However, vincristine-induced esophageal motor dysfunction with dysphagia is uncommon but generally reversible. The oncologist and chemotherapist should be aware of this complication. The first chemotherapeutic drug group to be recognized as having neurotoxicity was the Vinca alkaloids, especially vincristine. Vincristine also disrupts microtubule function in neuronal axons. Electrophysiologic studies of vincristine neuropathy indicate distal axonal dysfunction.
Peripheral neuropathy is the most common adverse effect of vincristine.
The most common and initial manifestations of neurotoxicity induced by vincristine are depression of the deep tendon reflexes and parasthesias of the distal extremities. Motor dysfunction and gait disorders are initially manifested as lower extremity weakness. The gastrointestinal tract is often affected by vincristine and the earliest symptoms may include colicky abdominal pain, constipation and adynamic ileus. Here we report on a patient who developed transient esophageal motor dysfunction with dysphagia after receiving a single dose of vincristine-containing chemotherapy for malignant lymphoma. He denied any previous symptoms related to swallowing.