Neutropenic enterocolitis and colonic perforation in a patient with breast carcinoma treated with taxane-based chemotherapy: a case report and review of the literature

Year 2018, Volume: 4 Issue: 3, 231 - 234, 04.07.2018

Aslıhan Demirel , Selçuk Kihtir Gürkan Geceer Safiye Koçulu Esin Çevik

https://doi.org/10.18621/eurj.370328

Cited By: 1

Abstract

Neutropenic enterocolitis or typhlitis is one of the
rare but high mortality acute complications of neutropenia that develops in
immunosuppressed patients due to chemotherapy. It is a segmental cecal and
ascending colon inflammation that can progress to necrosis and perforation.
Although it is mostly observed in myelosupressed and immunosuppressed patients,
like those who have leukemia and lymphoma, it can also be observed in
malignancies treated with myelosupressive chemotherapy. It has been reported
particularly in patients with solid tumors treated with taxane-based chemotherapy.
In this article, a 40-year-old patient with invasive ductal breast carcinoma is
presented, who was diagnosed with neutropenic enterocolitis and colonic
perforation that developed 6 days after chemotherapy (Docetaxel 75 mg/m²
and cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m²). If neutropenic fever, abdominal
pain, abdominal distension, and tenderness develops in a patient under taxane-based chemotherapy, neutropenic enterocolitis is a
condition that must definitely be considered. It should be noted that it is
possible to reduce mortality and morbidity by means of appropriate antibiotics
and a timely surgical intervention.

Keywords

neutropenic enterocolitis, typhlitis, taxane-based chemotherapy

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