Colon perforation during antiangiogenic therapy for malignant glioma.
Antiangiogenic drugs have emerged as effective treatment options for patients with recurrent malignant gliomas (MGs). Though this class of drugs is generally well tolerated, rare life-threatening complications, including thromboembolism, hemorrhage, and gastrointestinal (GI) perforation, are reported. We describe six cases of GI perforation among 244 glioma patients (2.5%) during treatment with antiangiogenic agents in combination with chemotherapy and corticosteroids. Two patients succumbed to this complication, and the others recovered. Because GI perforation is a life-threatening yet treatable complication, neurooncologists must have a low threshold to consider it in patients on antiangiogenic drug therapy who present with abdominal pain and other GI complaints.
Norden
Andrew D
AD
Division of Neuro-Oncology, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA. anorden@partners.org
Drappatz
Jan
J
Ciampa
Abigail Slate
AS
Doherty
Lisa
L
LaFrankie
Debra Conrad
DC
Kesari
Santosh
S
Wen
Patrick Y
PY