Cervical carcinoma complicated by malignant pericarditis

Malignant pericarditis is a rare complication of cervical cancer. In the present case a metastatic pericardial disease developed in a patient who was initially treated by radiation therapy for stage IIb cervical carcinoma. Shortly after the first cycle of chemotherapy with cisplatin, VP-16 and hexamethylmelamine, a pericardial effusion was observed. After drainage of the pericardium and diagnosis of malignant metastatic disease the patient was successfully treated with the initial combination chemotherapy. The patient is still alive 12 months after pericardiotomy.