Hospitalization for 5-FU toxicity in metastatic colorectal cancer: incidence and cost.

Although treatment with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) plus calcium folinate has been reported to prolong survival in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer, it can also cause significant toxicity, potentially, resulting in hospitalization. The incidence and cost of these admissions have not been fully documented. The purpose of this study was to document the incidence and cost of toxicity-related admissions among patients with newly diagnosed metastatic colorectal cancer who received 5-FU.