title: Factor V Leiden mutation triggering four major complications to standard dose cisplatin-chemotherapy for testicular seminoma: a case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Major life-threatening complications secondary to cisplatin-based chemotherapy are rare in patients with testicular germ cell tumour (GCT). The incidence of complications increases with dosage of chemotherapy and with a variety of patient-related as well as disease-related conditions. We here report the first case of GCT experiencing as many as four major complications most of which can be explained by the conjunction of several predispositions.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 48 year old patient with testicular seminoma and bulky retroperitoneal and mediastinal metastases underwent cisplatin based chemotherapy. During the third cycle of chemotherapy, he developed thrombosis of the central venous port device, subtotal splenic infarction, and Bleomycin induced pneumonitis (BIP). Three months after completion of therapy, he was struck by thalamic infarction. Genetic testing then revealed heterozygote mutation of Factor V Leiden (FVL). He received full-dose warfarin anticoagulation treatment and steroid treatment for BIP. 18 months thereafter, the patient is still disease-free, oncologically. Neurological symptoms have disappeared, but pulmonary dysfunction persists with a vital capacity of 50%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The unique co-incidence of four major complications occurring in this patient were obviously triggered by the genetically determined predisposition of the patient to thrombotic events (FVL). Additionally, several patient-related and disease-related conditions contributed to the unique pattern of complications, i.e. (1) the slightly advanced age (48 years), (2) the prothrombotic condition caused by the disease of cancer, (3) the central venous port device, (4) retroperitoneal bulky metastasis, and (5) cisplatin chemotherapy. Whether or not FVL contributed to the pulmonary fibrosis as well, remains elusive. Practically, in the case of one major vascular complication during cisplatin chemotherapy at standard dose, genetic testing for hereditary thrombophilia should be considered. Thus, precautions for preventing further complications could be initiated.
authors.affiliation: Albertinen-Krankenhaus, Department of Urology, Suentelstrasse 11a, D-22457, Hamburg, Germany. DieckmannKP@t-online.de.
authors.forename: Klaus-Peter
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Dieckmann
authors.affiliation: Albertinen-Krankenhaus, Department of Urology, Suentelstrasse 11a, D-22457, Hamburg, Germany. petra.anheuser@albertinen.de.
authors.forename: Petra
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Anheuser
authors.affiliation: Albertinen-Krankenhaus, Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Hamburg, Germany. ralf.gehrckens@albertinen.de.
authors.forename: Ralf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gehrckens
authors.affiliation: Elbpneumologie, Mörkenstrasse 47, D-22767, Hamburg, Germany. altona@elbpneumologie.de.
authors.forename: Sven Philip
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Aries
authors.affiliation: Albertinen-Krankenhaus, Department of Urology, Suentelstrasse 11a, D-22457, Hamburg, Germany. Raphael.ikogho@albertinen.de.
authors.forename: Raphael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ikogho
authors.affiliation: Hämatologisch-onkologische Praxis Altona (HOPA), Mörkenstrasse 47, D-22767, Hamburg, Germany. info@hopa-hamburg.de.
authors.forename: Wiebke
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hollburg
mesh_terms: D020016:Activated Protein C Resistance / Q000235:genetics*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002544:Cerebral Infarction / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000235:genetics; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D012016:Reference Values; D018239:Seminoma / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D002945:Cisplatin