Cholecystitis secondary to infusion chemotherapy

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Hepatobiliary Surgery
• Radiology

Background:

• Metastatic colorectal cancer treatment often involves hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy.
• FUDR (fluoro-deoxyuridine) is a chemotherapeutic agent used in this context.
• Complications of infusion chemotherapy require careful monitoring and management.

Observation:

• A patient with metastatic colorectal cancer developed acute and chronic cholecystitis.
• The cholecystitis was a secondary complication of hepatic artery infusion of FUDR.
• Diagnostic imaging (sonography, cholescintigraphy) and pathological examination confirmed the diagnosis.

Findings:

• Hepatic artery infusion of FUDR can lead to cholecystitis.
• This complication may become more frequent with advanced drug delivery systems.
• Gallbladder removal during pump placement is a feasible preventative measure.

Implications:

• Consider prophylactic cholecystectomy during chemo-infusion pump placement for metastatic colorectal cancer.
• Early recognition and management of FUDR-induced cholecystitis are crucial.
• This strategy may improve patient outcomes and reduce treatment-related morbidity.