Encephalopathy following cisplatin, bleomycin and vinblastine therapy for non-seminomatous germ cell tumour of testis.
A 22-year-old man developed severe encephalopathy, grand mal seizures and visual disturbance after combination chemotherapy with cisplatin, vinblastine and bleomycin for metastatic testicular carcinoma. After excluding treatable causes, only supportive management was given, and the symptoms and signs resolved over several months. We suggest a clinical syndrome of encephalopathy, seizures and visual disturbance represents a rare toxicity of cisplatin-based therapy. Given the wide spread usage of cisplatin, this should be drawn once again to the attention of medical oncologists.
Hitchins
R N
RN
Queensland Cancer Fund Oncology Research Unit, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Department of Clinical Haematology, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia.
Thomson
D B
DB
D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001761:Bleomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012640:Seizures / Q000139:chemically induced; D013724:Teratoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014747:Vinblastine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced
D001761:Bleomycin; D014747:Vinblastine; D002945:Cisplatin