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[Acute liver failure after therapeutic hyperthermia]
S Hammerschmidt1, H Wahn, P Langmann
1Medizinische Klinik, Universität Würzburg.
Deutsche Medizinische Wochenschrift (1946)
|December 22, 1999
Summary
Whole-body hyperthermia in a cancer patient led to coma and acute liver/renal failure. Prompt intensive care and supportive treatment resulted in recovery, highlighting risks of this cancer therapy.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Critical Care Medicine
- Toxicology
Background:
- Whole-body hyperthermia (WBH) is an investigational cancer treatment.
- Potential severe adverse events require careful patient selection and monitoring.
Observation:
- A patient with malignant neoplasia developed coma post-WBH (42.5-42.7°C).
- Clinical presentation included acute liver and renal failure, with significantly elevated liver enzymes, bilirubin, and creatinine.
- Exclusion of other causes like drug toxicity and sepsis confirmed the hyperthermia as the likely etiology.
Findings:
- The patient required intensive care unit (ICU) admission due to unresponsiveness after WBH.
- Treatment involved plasma infusion, antibiotics, nutritional support, and stress ulcer prophylaxis.
- Full consciousness was regained within 6 days, with laboratory values normalizing by discharge.
Implications:
- This case suggests a probable causal link between WBH and severe hepatorenal toxicity.
- Highlights the critical need for stringent patient selection and monitoring protocols for WBH.
- Underscores the importance of recognizing and managing rare but serious side effects of advanced cancer therapies.