Extensive deep vein thrombosis as a complication of testicular cancer treated with the BEP protocol (bleomycin, etoposide and cisplatin): case report

Sao Paulo Med J. 2006 Nov 7;124(6):343-5. doi: 10.1590/s1516-31802006000600009.

Abstract

Context: There are no reports in the literature of massive deep venous thrombosis (DVT) associated with cisplatin, bleomycin and etoposide (BEP) cancer treatment.

Case report: The patient was a 18-year-old adolescent with a nonseminomatous germ cell tumor of the right testicle, with the presence of pulmonary, liver, and massive retroperitoneal metastases. Following radical orchiectomy, the patient started chemotherapy according to the BEP protocol (without routine prophylaxis for DVT). On day 4 of the first cycle, massive DVT was diagnosed, extending from both popliteal veins up to the thoracic segment of the inferior vena cava. Thrombolytic therapy with streptokinase was immediately started. On day 2 of thrombolytic therapy, the patient developed acute renal failure, due to extension of the thrombosis to the renal veins. Streptokinase was continued for six days and the outcome was remarkably favorable.

CONTEXTO:: Não há relatos na literatura de trombose venosa profunda (TVP) extensa associada ao protocolo de quimioterapia cisplatina, bleomicina e etoposite (BEP).

RELATO DO CASO:: O paciente era um adolescente de 18 anos com um tumor germinativo não-seminomatoso no testículo direito, com metástases pulmonares, hepáticas e retroperitoneais. Após orquiectomia radical, o paciente começou a receber quimioterapia de acordo com o protocolo BEP (sem profilaxia rotineira para TVP). No quarto dia do ciclo, TVP massiva foi diagnosticada, estendendo-se das veias poplíteas até o segmento inferior da veia cava torácica. Tratamento trombolítico foi iniciado imediatamente com estreptoquinase. No segundo dia da terapia trombolítica, o paciente desenvolveu insuficiência renal aguda, devido ao acometimento das veias renais pela trombose. Estroptoquinase foi mantida por seis dias e o paciente teve evolução surpreendentemente favorável.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / adverse effects*
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Bleomycin / administration & dosage
  • Bleomycin / adverse effects
  • Cisplatin / administration & dosage
  • Cisplatin / adverse effects
  • Etoposide / administration & dosage
  • Etoposide / adverse effects
  • Fibrinolytic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Streptokinase / therapeutic use
  • Testicular Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex
  • Vena Cava, Inferior* / diagnostic imaging
  • Venous Thrombosis / chemically induced*
  • Venous Thrombosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Venous Thrombosis / therapy

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Fibrinolytic Agents
  • Bleomycin
  • Etoposide
  • Streptokinase
  • Cisplatin

Supplementary concepts

  • BEP protocol