Gemcitabine associated vasculitis leading to necrotizing enterocolitis and death in women undergoing primary treatment for epithelial ovarian/peritoneal cancer.
We present two patients who developed necrotizing enterocolitis following their first cycle of chemotherapy for epithelial ovarian/peritoneal cancer. After optimal cytoreductive surgery, both women received gemcitabine as part of a chemotherapy protocol. One patient developed necrotizing enterocolitis, 1 day after chemotherapy and the other 8 days after chemotherapy. The first patient succumbed to the enterocolitis despite aggressive supportive care. The second patient succumbed despite both aggressive supportive care and surgical intervention. Pathologic review for both patients revealed a drug induced vasculitis causing necrotizing enterocolitis.
Geisler
John P
JP
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IO 52242, USA. john-geisler@indianagynonc.com
Schraith
Daniel F
DF
Manahan
Kelly J
KJ
Sorosky
Joel I
JI
D000368:Aged; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020345:Enterocolitis, Necrotizing / Q000139:chemically induced*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010534:Peritoneal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000139:chemically induced*; D000093542:Gemcitabine
D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D000093542:Gemcitabine