Spontaneous pneumothorax after intensive chemotherapy in endometrial cancer: a rare complication

Taiwan J Obstet Gynecol. 2014 Jun;53(2):245-7. doi: 10.1016/j.tjog.2013.09.002.

Abstract

Objective: Endometrial cancer with hematogenous metastases can be treated with chemotherapy. We present a case of spontaneous pneumothorax that occurred when a solitary pulmonary endometrial metastatic lesion was treated with paclitaxel plus carboplatin.

Case report: A 38-year-old female had stage II endometrial endometrioid adenocarcinoma. Solitary bilateral pulmonary metastases developed after primary treatment. Complete remission accompanied by a right spontaneous pneumothorax occurred during chemotherapy with paclitaxel plus carboplatin.

Conclusion: Rapid shrinkage of a pulmonary space-occupying tumor sometimes causes rare but life-threatening spontaneous pneumothoraces. We report the first case of a spontaneous pneumothorax after using paclitaxel plus carboplatin in the treatment of endometrial cancer.

Keywords: carboplatin; endometrial cancer; paclitaxel; pulmonary metastases; spontaneous pneumothorax.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Carboplatin / administration & dosage
  • Carcinoma, Endometrioid / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Endometrioid / secondary
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / pathology
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Lung Neoplasms / secondary
  • Paclitaxel / administration & dosage
  • Pneumothorax / etiology*
  • Remission Induction

Substances

  • Carboplatin
  • Paclitaxel