Gemcitabine-induced severe peripheral edema in a patient with lung cancer.
Gemcitabine, alone or in combination with a platinum-based agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer. It is generally a well-tolerated drug. Despite its lack of significant toxicity, the most commonly reported side effects include myelosuppression, gastrointestinal disturbances (eg, nausea and vomiting), influenza-like symptoms, skin rash with pruritus, and elevation of liver transaminase enzymes. Peripheral edema has rarely been described as an adverse effect. Herein, we report a patient with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer who experienced severe peripheral edema after gemcitabine administration. Immediate gemcitabine discontinuation and the administration of diuretics resulted in definite regression of peripheral edema.
Department of Pneumonology, Army General Hospital of Athens, Athens, Greece. skatsenos@yahoo.gr
Stamatis
S
Katsenos
Melita
M
Nikolopoulou
D000368:Aged; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000009:adverse effects; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D004487:Edema / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D000093542:Gemcitabine
D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D000093542:Gemcitabine