Chemotherapy-induced bowel obstruction in small cell lung cancer: a case report

This case report focuses on an elderly gentleman with extensive stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC) who experienced episodes of bowel obstruction shortly after commencing first-line chemotherapy with cisplatin and etoposide. The patient had no radiological or pathological evidence of intra-abdominal carcinomatosis or paraneoplastic bowel disease secondary to SCLC. Although neurotoxicity is commonly associated with platinum agents, the effect is predominantly peripheral as opposed to autonomic. The authors conclude that the observations documented in this case were secondary to etoposide; a podophyllotoxin that can bind microtubules and inhibit fast axonal transport. Although paralytic ileus is well recognised with podophyllotoxin poisoning, to our knowledge, this is the first report to associate bowel obstruction with standard doses of etoposide and highlights the need for physicians to be aware of such deleterious effects in patients treated with this cytotoxic agent.