Back to Search
Start Over
Intestinal toxicity during induction chemotherapy with cytarabine-based regimens in adult acute myeloid leukemia
- Source :
- The Hematology Journal. 4:346-350
- Publication Year :
- 2003
- Publisher :
- Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2003.
-
Abstract
- Background: Cytotoxic regimens used in induction treatments for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) almost always include standard or high-dose cytarabine (Ara-C). During or soon after induction therapy, leukemic patients frequently develop gastroenteric complications, characterized by abdominal pain and diarrhea. The association ofthese symptoms with f and melena is typical ofnecrotizing enterocolitis (NE), a life-threathening condition that can be documented by ultrasound abdominal scan. Patients and methods: We analyzed retrospectively the clinical course of169 adult patients with AML treated by standard dose Ara-C-containing induction regimens, either by continuous venous infusion (group 1) or subcutaneous injection (group 2). Ultrasonography was employed as early diagnostic tool in a majority ofpatients with gastroenteric complications. Bowel wall thickening was accurately measured and used to confirm the diagnosis of necrotizing enterocolitis. Results: In the first group of 115 patients (median age, 51 years), gastroenteric complications were observed in 55 patients (48%), and 10 patients (9%) received diagnosis ofNE, which was fatal in four. Patients with NE had a median age older than that of patients without gastroenteric symptoms, and a more prolonged neutropenia. In the second group of54 patients (median age, 60 years), gastroenteric events were observed in 14 patients (26%), and no case of NE was recorded. Conclusions: This retrospective analysis shows that NE is a serious complication occurring mainly in patients treated by Ara-C administered as continuous i.v. infusion. The Hematology Journal (2003) 4, 346–350. doi:10.1038/sj.thj.6200304
- Subjects :
- Adult
Male
medicine.medical_specialty
Abdominal pain
Neutropenia
Adolescent
Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions
Injections, Subcutaneous
Gastroenterology
Enterocolitis, Necrotizing
Internal medicine
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols
medicine
Humans
Infusions, Parenteral
Aged
Retrospective Studies
Enterocolitis
business.industry
Remission Induction
Cytarabine
Induction chemotherapy
Adult Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Hematology
Middle Aged
medicine.disease
Thrombocytopenia
Surgery
Intestinal Diseases
Leukemia, Myeloid
Acute Disease
Necrotizing enterocolitis
Drug Evaluation
Female
medicine.symptom
Complication
business
medicine.drug
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 14765632 and 14664860
- Volume :
- 4
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- The Hematology Journal
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....3471c666a94058192ab43d1f6681a9f9