Successful management using laparoscopic splenectomy for splenomegaly and thrombocytopenia caused by oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy for advanced rectal cancer
Koike, N.; Ohshima, Y.; Takeuchi, T.; Arita, S.; Shinozaki, E.
Gan to Kagaku Ryoho. Cancer and ChemoTherapy 40(6): 815-817
2013
ISSN/ISBN: 0385-0684 PMID: 23863666 Document Number: 665785
We report a case of advanced rectal cancer treated with chemotherapy, for which laparoscopic splenectomy had been effective for thrombocytopenia. A 56-year-old man suffered from advanced rectal cancer with multiple lung metastases. He underwent Hartmann's procedure and received chemotherapy with FOLFOX and FOLFIRI with bevacizumab. After 3 years and 2 months, he also suffered from splenomegaly and thrombocytopenia. Laparoscopic splenectomy produced and increased the thrombocyte count, allowing for a restart of chemotherapy. Oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy might produce hepatic sinusoid injury and induce splenomegaly owing to portal hypertension. Laparoscopic splenectomy seemed to be useful for treating thrombocytopenia, and allowed the continuation of chemotherapy.