title: Toxic megacolon: a life-threatening complication of high-dose therapy and autologous stem cell transplantation among patients with AL amyloidosis.
abstract: AL amyloidosis is a plasma cell disorder in which tissue deposition of immunoglobulin light chains leads to organ dysfunction. Recent reports of high-dose therapy with autologous stem cell transplantation for amyloidosis suggest higher response rates and extended survival compared to those seen with conventional chemotherapy. However, substantial treatment-related toxicity has been observed. This case series describes our institutional experience with autologous transplantation in four patients with amyloidosis with an emphasis on unique gastrointestinal toxicities, including toxic megacolon.
authors.affiliation: Adult Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97201, USA.
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Hayes-Lattin
authors.forename: P T
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Curtin
authors.forename: W H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Fleming
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Leis
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Stepan
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schubach
authors.forename: R T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Maziarz
mesh_terms: D000686:Amyloidosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007147:Immunoglobulin Light Chains; D008297:Male; D008532:Megacolon, Toxic / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000150:complications; D019172:Transplantation Conditioning / Q000009:adverse effects; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous / Q000009:adverse effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D007147:Immunoglobulin Light Chains