Pneumothorax after bevacizumab-containing chemotherapy: a case report

Jpn J Clin Oncol. 2011 Feb;41(2):269-71. doi: 10.1093/jjco/hyq195. Epub 2010 Oct 28.

Abstract

Bevacizumab added to 5-fluorouracil-based chemotherapy can improve outcomes in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Bevacizumab had several notable adverse effects including bowel perforation but pneumothorax had never been reported in the available English literature. We reported a 45-year-old male with lung metastases from colorectal cancer who had spontaneous pneumothorax after the second cycle of bevacizumab-containing chemotherapy. His pneumothorax resolved after tube thoracostomy with a small caliber catheter. The mechanism of pneumothorax developed after bevacizumab therapy was not clear as bowel perforation but tumor necrosis with ruptured parietal pleura might be the cause. In patients who had chest discomfort after bevacizumab-containing therapy, pneumothorax should never be overlooked as one of the differential diagnoses.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / drug therapy*
  • Adenocarcinoma / secondary
  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / adverse effects*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / adverse effects*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / adverse effects
  • Bevacizumab
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Lung Neoplasms / secondary
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pneumothorax / chemically induced*
  • Pneumothorax / diagnostic imaging
  • Pneumothorax / therapy
  • Radiography

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Bevacizumab