Plasmapheresis reverses all side-effects of a cisplatin overdose--a case report and treatment recommendation

Cisplatin is widely used as an antineoplastic agent since it is effective against a broad spectrum of different tumours. Nevertheless, it has several potential side effects affecting different organ systems and an overdose may lead to life-threatening complications and even death. We report on a 46-...

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Published inBMC cancer Vol. 6; no. 1; p. 1
Main Authors Hofmann, Guenter, Bauernhofer, Thomas, Krippl, Peter, Lang-Loidolt, Doris, Horn, Sabine, Goessler, Walter, Schippinger, Walter, Ploner, Ferdinand, Stoeger, Herbert, Samonigg, Hellmut
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published England BioMed Central Ltd 04.01.2006
BioMed Central
BMC
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Summary:Cisplatin is widely used as an antineoplastic agent since it is effective against a broad spectrum of different tumours. Nevertheless, it has several potential side effects affecting different organ systems and an overdose may lead to life-threatening complications and even death. We report on a 46-year old woman with non-small cell lung cancer who accidentally received 225 mg/m2 of cisplatin, which was threefold the dose as scheduled, within a 3-day period. Two days later, the patient presented with hearing loss, severe nausea and vomiting, acute renal failure as well as elevated liver enzymes. In addition, she developed a severe myelodepression. After plasmapheresis on two consecutive days and vigorous supportive treatment, the toxicity-related symptoms improved and the patient recovered without any sequelae. To date, no general accepted guidelines for the treatment of cisplatin overdoses are available. Along with the experience from other published cases, our report shows that plasmapheresis is capable of lowering cisplatin plasma and serum levels efficiently. Therefore, plasma exchange performed as soon as possible can ameliorate all side effects of a cisplatin overdose and be a potential tool for clinicians for treatment. However, additional intensive supportive treatment-modalities are necessary to control all occurring side effects.
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ISSN:1471-2407
1471-2407
DOI:10.1186/1471-2407-6-1