Axitinib-induced Pneumatosis Intestinalis and Acute Acalculous Cholecystitis in a Patient With Renal Cell Carcinoma

A 71-year-old man with metastatic renal cell carcinoma presented with abdominal pain during treatment with axitinib. The diagnoses were axitinib-induced pneumatosis intestinalis (PI) and acute acalculous cholecystitis (AC). The patient's condition improved with antibiotics, bowel rest, and discontinuation of the axitinib therapy. This is the first case report in the literature. PI and AC induced by other vascular endothelial growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors are usually self-limiting upon discontinuation of those uses, but can be life-threatening in some cases. We need to be aware of axitinib-induced PI and AC to avoid delayed or inappropriate treatments for them.