Chemotherapy in porphyria.

The clinical courses of 5 patients with hepatic porphyrias (4 with porphyria variegata) who required chemotherapy for disseminated malignant diseases are reviewed. Antineoplastic agents were employed without evidence that these drugs precipitated porphyric crises. It is concluded that the chemotherapeutic approach to these patients should be based on the appropriate treatment for the malignant condition.