Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 21, 2026
07:34
Microsurgical Venous Pouch Arterial-Bifurcation Aneurysms in the Rabbit Model: Technical Aspects
Published on: May 11, 2011
14.6K
Early small bowel perforation due to aflibercept
Toufic Moussallem1, Chetana Lim1, Michael Osseis1
1Department of Hepato-Biliary and Pancreatic Surgery and Liver Transplantation, AP-HP Henri Mondor Hospital.
Drug Discoveries & Therapeutics
|October 13, 2017
Summary
Gastrointestinal perforation is a rare but serious adverse event in patients receiving aflibercept chemotherapy. Early recognition and surgical intervention are crucial for managing this potentially fatal complication.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Gastroenterology
- Surgical Oncology
Background:
- Aflibercept is a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitor used in cancer therapy.
- Gastrointestinal perforation is a known, albeit uncommon, adverse event associated with aflibercept treatment.
- The reported incidence of gastrointestinal perforation is 1.9%, with a mortality rate up to 10.8%.
Observation:
- A case report of a 58-year-old female patient with metachronous colorectal liver metastases is presented.
- The patient developed a small bowel perforation 15 days after her first cycle of aflibercept-based chemotherapy.
- Emergency laparotomy confirmed the small bowel perforation, with no evidence of anastomotic leak.
Findings:
- This case highlights the potential for very early onset of gastrointestinal perforation following aflibercept initiation.
- Despite the severity, the patient experienced an uneventful recovery after surgical intervention.
Implications:
- Oncologists and surgeons should be aware of the risk of early gastrointestinal perforation in patients treated with aflibercept.
- Vigilance for this adverse event is essential for timely diagnosis and management.
- This underscores the importance of multidisciplinary communication in managing cancer patients receiving targeted therapies.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Esophageal Perforation-I: Introduction
654
Esophageal perforation is a severe medical condition characterized by a breach in the integrity of the esophageal wall. This breach can occur due to various factors such as trauma, medical procedures, or underlying diseases. When the esophageal wall is compromised, it allows food, fluids, and digestive juices into the chest cavity or adjacent structures, leading to potential complications and health risks.
The location of esophageal perforation can vary, occurring anywhere along the esophagus....
The location of esophageal perforation can vary, occurring anywhere along the esophagus....
654
01:28Esophageal Perforation-II: Clinical Manifestations and Management
779
Esophageal perforations manifest in various clinical forms, influenced by factors such as the perforation's cause and location (cervical, intrathoracic, or intra-abdominal), the extent of contamination, and potential injury to adjacent mediastinal structures. The timing between the perforation occurrence and treatment initiation also affects the clinical presentation.
Clinical Manifestations:
Clinical Manifestations:
779
01:27Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Ulcerative Colitis
1.2K
Introduction
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, encompasses a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of IBD remains unclear, although it is believed to be due to a mix of genetic, environmental, microbial, and immune factors. Genetic factors are significant in determining susceptibility to IBD, with family history being a critical risk factor. Individuals with a first-degree relative who has IBD are at...
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, encompasses a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of IBD remains unclear, although it is believed to be due to a mix of genetic, environmental, microbial, and immune factors. Genetic factors are significant in determining susceptibility to IBD, with family history being a critical risk factor. Individuals with a first-degree relative who has IBD are at...
1.2K