Pulmonary emboli as a complication of germ cell cancer treatment.
A total of 3 patients with germ cell cancer had pulmonary emboli while receiving cisplatin-containing chemotherapy. In addition to cisplatin, 1 patient was receiving etoposide plus doxorubicin, 1 vinblastine plus bleomycin and 1 etoposide plus bleomycin at the time of the vascular event. One patient died of cardiovascular collapse, while the other 2 presented with severe shortness of breath, hemoptysis and pleuritic chest pain. A review of vascular complications of cisplatin-containing chemotherapy is presented. Awareness and early recognition of pulmonary emboli in patients receiving these chemotherapeutic agents may minimize treatment-related morbidity and mortality.
D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009373:Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000139:chemically induced*; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*
D002945:Cisplatin