Reactions 1411 - 21 Jul 2012

SAntineoplastics

Various toxicities in elderly patients: 3 casereports

Three elderly patients aged 75 years or older developedvarious toxicities resulting in death during or followingchemoradiation for oesophageal cancer [sexes, routes anddosages not stated].

Patient 1 died of pulmonary haemorrhage and acuterespiratory failure after receiving one cycle of cisplatin andfluorouracil, in combination with 16.2Gy of radiotherapy.

Patient 2 experienced sudden death after receiving onecycle of fluorouracil in combination with 3.6Gy ofradiotherapy.

Patient 3 died of sepsis due to persistent neutropenia onemonth after completing 50.4Gy of radiotherapy and fourcycles of chemotherapy with cisplatin, irinotecan andcetuximab.

Author comment: "[F]ull-dose chemoradiation can causesevere toxicity in even the most healthy and functionalpatients older than 75 years old."Mak RH, et al. Toxicity and outcomes after chemoradiation for esophageal cancerin patients age 75 or older. Diseases of the Esophagus 23: 316-323, No. 4, May2010. Available from: URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1442-2050.2009.01014.x -USA 803074010

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Reactions 21 Jul 2012 No. 14110114-9954/10/1411-0001/$14.95 Adis © 2010 Springer International Publishing AG. All rights reserved