title: Gemcitabine-induced hemolytic uremic syndrome in ovarian carcinoma.
abstract: Multiple chemotherapeutic agents, either alone or in combination, have been implicated in causing hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Gemcitabine has been reported to cause this condition rarely. A 48-year-old Caucasian woman, gravida 3, para 3 (G3P3), was diagnosed with stage III C ovarian carcinoma and after completing numerous chemotherapeutic regimens, she was started on gemcitabine. During her fourth cycle of gemcitabine, she developed generalized anasarca and presented to hospital with hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and renal failure. A diagnosis of HUS was made, which was confirmed by renal biopsy, and the patient was started on hemodialysis and plasmapheresis. We conclude if a patient has advanced-stage disease and has been heavily treated with chemotherapy before, there is a high risk that, on gemcitabine monotherapy, the patient can develop HUS earlier than expected.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Hurley Medical Center, Michigan State University, College of Human Medicine, One Hurley Plaza, Suite 212, Flint, Michigan 48503, USA. nkalra_dr@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Nishant
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kalra
authors.forename: Rahul
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kad
authors.forename: Sayed
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Osama
mesh_terms: D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006463:Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000093542:Gemcitabine
chemical_list: D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D000093542:Gemcitabine