Chemotherapy Induced Acute Pericarditis in a Child
Muhammad Arif Khan1, Abdul Rahman1, S Almoukirish1
1Department of Pediatric Cardiology, King Salman Heart Centre, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, KSA.
Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons--Pakistan : JCPSP
|November 3, 2015
Summary
A 9-year-old boy experienced acute myopericarditis during 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. This rare cardiac complication highlights the need for vigilance in pediatric patients receiving this chemotherapy agent.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Cardiotoxicology
- Chemotherapy Adverse Events
Background:
- Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a rare cancer in children.
- 5-fluorouracil is a common chemotherapy agent used in various cancers.
- Cardiac complications of 5-fluorouracil are well-documented in adults but rare in children.
Observation:
- A 9-year-old boy with nasopharyngeal carcinoma received 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy.
- After 90 hours of infusion, the patient developed severe retrosternal chest pain.
- Electrocardiography revealed signs consistent with acute pericarditis.
Findings:
- The patient was diagnosed with acute myopericarditis, a rare cardiac complication of 5-fluorouracil.
- The 5-fluorouracil infusion was discontinued, and the patient was treated with ibuprofen.
- This case represents a very rare instance of 5-fluorouracil-induced myopericarditis in a pediatric patient.
Implications:
- This case underscores the potential for 5-fluorouracil to cause severe cardiac events in children.
- Pediatric oncologists should be aware of the risk of myopericarditis when administering 5-fluorouracil.
- Further research may be needed to understand the mechanisms and risk factors for 5-fluorouracil cardiotoxicity in pediatric populations.
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