Gastric perforation presenting as empyema in a patient with pancreatic cancer on bevacizumab treatment

Anticancer Res. 2009 May;29(5):1665-7.

Abstract

Bowel perforation is a rare but life-threatening complication of bevacizumab, a new anticancer treatment. Patients with bowel perforation usually present with acute abdominal symptoms. Here a case history is presented to highlight a pancreatic cancer patient on bevacizumab chemotherapy who developed empyema as the first manifestation of gastric perforation. This unusual presentation warns physicians that bevacizumab-related bowel perforation can arise as a thoracic complication, without typical gastrointestinal manifestations, in an advanced cancer patient.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Bevacizumab
  • Empyema / complications*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / complications
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Bevacizumab