Oxaliplatin-induced thrombotic microangiopathy: a case report

Oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy represents a standard of care in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer. We report a rare case of fulminant oxaliplatin-induced thrombotic microangiopathy, clinically suggestive of hemolytic–uremic syndrome, occurring in a female patient with a prolonged history of exposure to oxaliplatin for the treatment of metastatic colon cancer.

A 73-year-old Caucasian female with a treatment history including several lines of chemotherapy for the management of metastatic colon cancer was reinitiated on chemotherapy with oxaliplatin, fluorouracil, and leucovorin with bevacizumab for disease progression. She presented to the emergency department with malaise, headache, vomiting, and decreased urine output appearing a few hours after chemotherapy administration. Clinical symptoms and laboratory findings were suggestive of thrombotic microangiopathy, with a triad of microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, pronounced thrombocytopenia, and acute renal failure. The predominance of the severe renal failure was evocative of hemolytic–uremic syndrome. The rapid development of the thrombotic microangiopathy was linked to exposure to oxaliplatin. The patient was promptly managed with daily plasma exchange and high-dose corticosteroids, platelet, and red blood cell transfusions in conjunction with intermittent hemodialysis, and she recovered progressively.

Our case confirms the risk of hemolytic–uremic syndrome as a rare and life-threatening complication of oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy. A dose-dependent, drug-induced toxicity mechanism is suggested. Physicians need to maintain a high level of clinical suspicion to diagnose and treat this acute life-threatening disorder.