Fatal outcome of posterior "reversible" encephalopathy syndrome in metastatic colorectal carcinoma after irinotecan and fluoropyrimidine chemotherapy regimen

World J Surg Oncol. 2014 Aug 20:12:264. doi: 10.1186/1477-7819-12-264.

Abstract

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a clinicoradiologic entity characterized by headaches, altered mental status, seizures, and visual disturbances. It can occur in many different clinical entities such as severe hypertension and pre-eclampsia, or due to cytotoxic or immunosuppressive therapies. The pathogenesis of PRES is unclear, with dysregulated cerebral auto-regulation and endothelial dysfunction as important mechanisms proposed. Endothelial dysfunction is important especially in cases associated with cytotoxic therapies. Herein, we describe a patient with PRES with fatal outcome, who presented 5 days after the infusion of cycle 1 of irinotecan hydrochloride, leucovorin calcium, and fluorouracil (FOLFIRI) regimen chemotherapy, without prior hypertension and other comorbidity, suggesting a link between PRES and FOLFIRI regimen. To our knowledge, this case report is the first describing PRES after FOLFIRI regimen, although others have described PRES after FOLFIRI with bevacizumab in colonic cancer patients.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Bevacizumab
  • Camptothecin / administration & dosage
  • Camptothecin / analogs & derivatives
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Fluorouracil / administration & dosage
  • Humans
  • Irinotecan
  • Leucovorin / administration & dosage
  • Liver Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Liver Neoplasms / secondary
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome / chemically induced*
  • Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome / pathology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Bevacizumab
  • Irinotecan
  • Leucovorin
  • Fluorouracil
  • Camptothecin