levoleucovorin and Hematoma

Bevacizumab (bev) significantly improves outcomes of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). However, the addition of bev to concurrent chemotherapy significantly increased the risk of haemorrhage. We describe the case of a patient with mCRC who presented with acute diffuse abdominal pain following four cycles of bev-containing systemic chemotherapy. A CT revealed the appearance of bilateral adrenal enlargement suggestive of acute adrenal haematoma. Blood test results showed a dramatic decrease in cortisol level and highly elevated Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) level suggesting an adrenal insufficiency. After differential diagnosis, we hypothesised that bev may have contributed to the development of a bilateral adrenal haematoma complicated by adrenal insufficiency. Bev was immediately withdrawn and the patient was subsequently treated with hydrocortisone substitution with favourable outcome. This case highlights for the first time the possibility of adrenal bleeding with bev-containing chemotherapy.

Topics: Adrenal Insufficiency; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Bevacizumab; Colorectal Neoplasms; Fluorouracil; Hematoma; Humans; Leucovorin

Patients with stage IV colorectal cancer and peritoneal carcinomatosis are increasingly treated with curative intent and perioperative systemic chemotherapy combined with targeted therapy. The aim of this study was to analyze the potential impact of bevacizumab on early morbidity after cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) in patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis of colorectal origin.. From 2004 to 2010, in three referral centers, 182 patients with colorectal carcinomatosis were treated with complete cytoreduction followed by HIPEC after either preoperative systemic chemotherapy alone or in combination with bevacizumab. Because there was no control on treatment allocation, propensity score methods were used to control for this bias.. The median time from discontinuation of bevacizumab to HIPEC was 7 weeks (range 6-10 weeks). Major morbidity was greater in the bevacizumab group (34 vs. 19 %, p = 0.020). Nine patients died postoperatively, 5 (6.2 %) in the bevacizumab group (n = 80) and 4 (3.9 %) in the group treated with chemotherapy alone (n = 102) (p = 0.130). The rate of digestive fistulas was greater in the bevacizumab group, although not statistically significant (18 vs. 10 %, p = 0.300). The effect of bevacizumab on major morbidity (including death) was found to be statistically significant (odds ratio 2.28, 95 % confidence interval 1.05-4.95) (p = 0.04).. Administration of bevacizumab before surgery with complete cytoreduction followed by HIPEC for colorectal carcinomatosis is associated with twofold increased morbidity. The oncologic benefit of bevacizumab before HIPEC remains to be evaluated.

Topics: Abdominal Abscess; Angiogenesis Inhibitors; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Bevacizumab; Camptothecin; Carcinoma; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; Colorectal Neoplasms; Cytoreduction Surgical Procedures; Digestive System Fistula; Female; Fluorouracil; Hematoma; Humans; Hyperthermia, Induced; Length of Stay; Leucovorin; Male; Middle Aged; Neoadjuvant Therapy; Organoplatinum Compounds; Peritoneal Neoplasms; Wound Healing

We now describe the first example of a patient who developed perirenal hematoma during the course of bevacizumab-containing chemotherapy. A 59-years-old woman with metastatic rectal cancer treated with bevacizumab, who developed low back pain after 11 cycles of chemotherapy. CT-scan was consistent with perirenal hematoma and discontinuation of bevacizumab resulted in symptomatic improvement. Nontraumatic perirenal hematoma is a rare condition that can cause shock in severe cases. Given that several types of bleeding complication are known to be associated with bevacizumab treatment, we concluded that bevacizumab likely contributed to the perirenal hematoma in this case. Although the appropriate modification of bevacizumab treatment in the setting of perirenal hematoma is still unclear, physicians should be aware of this potential bevacizumab-associated bleeding complication.

Topics: Angiogenesis Inhibitors; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Bevacizumab; Female; Fluorouracil; Hematoma; Hemorrhage; Humans; Leucovorin; Liver Neoplasms; Middle Aged; Organoplatinum Compounds; Rectal Neoplasms; Time Factors; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

We report on a 65-year-old female patient with a recent diagnosis of adenocarcinoma of the sigmoid colon and massive hematochezia in the context of a general bleeding disorder.. Disseminated malignant disease with hepatic metastases as well as bone marrow involvement was demonstrated. Moreover, circulating tumor cells were demonstrated by flow cytometry. The patient had right lower quadrant abdominal pain due to a spontaneous psoas intramuscular hematoma.. At the time of admission to our hospital, the patient displayed microangiopathic hemolytic anemia and secondary hyperfibrinolysis with a pronounced bleeding tendency. Moreover, there was an acute renal failure which improved with fluid resuscitation. With immediate chemotherapy consisting of 5-fluorouracil, folinic acid and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX regimen) and cetuximab initiated with the second course, plasmatic coagulation could be stabilized. Consequently, treatment with tranexamic acid, fibrinogen, fresh frozen plasma as well as red blood cell and platelet infusions could be stopped. Continuation of chemotherapy was possible on an outpatient basis and the further course was associated with a good quality of life until her near end. The patient died at home 7 months after initial diagnosis of her colon cancer due to progressive disease with CNS metastases.. Disseminated intravascular coagulation with microangiopathic hemolysis and secondary hyperfibrinolysis is a rare albeit possible event in disseminated colorectal cancer, especially when the bone marrow is involved. Treatment of the underlying cause is the most important therapeutic measure.

Topics: Aged; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Bone Marrow; Bone Marrow Neoplasms; Brain Neoplasms; Cetuximab; Disease Progression; Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation; Fatal Outcome; Female; Fluorouracil; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage; Hematoma; Hemorrhagic Disorders; Humans; Leucovorin; Liver Neoplasms; Neoplastic Cells, Circulating; Organoplatinum Compounds; Palliative Care; Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic; Retroperitoneal Space; Sigmoid Neoplasms; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Topics: Adolescent; Child; Hematoma; Hematoma, Epidural, Cranial; Hematoma, Subdural; Humans; Hydrocephalus; Leucovorin; Leukemia; Leukemia, Lymphoid; Leukemia, Myeloid; Meninges; Mercaptopurine; Methotrexate; Pathology; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma; Prednisone; Radiography; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage; Vinblastine