5-fluorouracil
5-Fluorouracil
5-Fluorouracil (pronounced as five-floor-oh-YOOR-uh-sil), often abbreviated as 5-FU, is a chemotherapy drug used in the treatment of various types of cancer. It belongs to a class of drugs known as antimetabolites.
Etymology
The name 5-Fluorouracil is derived from its chemical structure. The "5" refers to the position of the fluorine atom in the uracil molecule, a component of RNA (Ribonucleic Acid). The "Fluorouracil" part of the name refers to the fluorine-substituted uracil molecule.
Usage
5-Fluorouracil is used to treat various types of cancers, including colorectal cancer, breast cancer, stomach cancer, pancreatic cancer, and esophageal cancer. It works by inhibiting the synthesis of DNA and RNA, which are essential for cell growth and survival.
Related Terms
- Chemotherapy: The use of drugs to destroy cancer cells.
- Antimetabolites: A type of chemotherapy drug that interferes with the cell's metabolism.
- RNA: Ribonucleic Acid, a molecule similar to DNA that plays a crucial role in protein synthesis.
- DNA: Deoxyribonucleic Acid, the molecule that carries genetic information in all living organisms.
Side Effects
Like all chemotherapy drugs, 5-Fluorouracil can cause side effects. These may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and mouth sores. More serious side effects can include low blood counts, infection, and hand-foot syndrome.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on 5-fluorouracil
- Wikipedia's article - 5-fluorouracil
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