Side effects of levamisole given to neoplastic patients as adjuvant to surgery: a new case of agranulocytosis.

Side-effects to levamisole given as adjuvant to surgery in a consecutive series of 203 neoplastic patients are reported: Thirty-four patients (16.7%) suffered gastric adverse reactions; 8 (3.9%) allergic; 6 (2.9%) intestinal; 6 (2.9% neurologic; 4 (1.9%) severe hyperthermia (more than 40.5 degrees C); 3 (1.4%) flu-like illness; 1 (0.4% leucopenia; and 1 (0.4%) agranulocytosis. Withdrawal rate was 5.4% or 11 patients. Side effects appeared sex-related (39.0% in females, 17.7% in males; with seven female dropout out of 11), unrelated to other eventual adjuvant treatments, and reappearing at a new challenge with levamisole. The opportunity of very close control of patients taking levamisole for at least the first months is discussed.