Acute multiple arterial thrombosis after cisplatin in base of tongue carcinoma: case report.
BACKGROUND
Arterial thromboses following cisplatin-based chemotherapy in head and neck cancers are extremely rare and devastating complication.


RESULTS
A 54-year-old male smoker had an acute history of left lower limb pain and calf claudication 3 days following the first cycle of cisplatin-based chemotherapy given concurrently with radiotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the base of tongue. CT angiography showed extensive abdominal aortic thrombus along with involvement of left common iliac, saphenopopliteal, and tibeal arteries as well as moderate stenosis in the proximal segments of left anterior descending and right coronary artery. We suggest that endothelial damage and hypercoaguable state secondary to cisplatin may have induced severe arterial and coronary thrombosis.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first reported case of acute multiple arterial thrombosis following cisplatin in head and neck cancer. It is a dreaded complication and has a dismal prognosis if not promptly recognized and treated.
Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, Regional Cancer Centre, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India. dranupamrishi.pgi@gmail.com
Anupam
A
Rishi
Sushmita
S
Ghoshal
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000077195:Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014062:Tongue Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D002945:Cisplatin