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Sunitinib induced colitis manifesting as invasive diarrhea in a patient with renal cell carcinoma
Yasemin Gündoğdu1, Orhan Cem Deniz1, Didem Saka2
1Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Acıbadem Mehmet Ali Aydınlar University, Turkey.
Introduction:
Sunitinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor that binds to vascular endothelial factor receptor currently used for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma, as well as for several other conditions such as gastrointestinal stromal tumors and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. We present a patient with invasive diarrhea who was treated with sunitinib for metastatic renal cell carcinoma.
Case Report:
Drug induced colitis was confirmed with colonoscopy from histopathological specimens. Clinical recovery of diarrhea was achieved with oral budesonide. Remarkably, the pathologic findings were observed in both the macroscopically normal mucosa and the mucosa with aphthous ulcers in the colon.
Management & Outcome:
The patient was treated for sunitinib associated diarrhea, after exclusion of the other reasons. Metronidazole and piperacillin/tazobactam treatment were prescribed.
Discussion:
Diarrhea is a frequent symptom in patients treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors, however the described pathologic findings have rarely been reported. Our aim is to emphasize the importance of close follow-up in patients treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and to raise awareness on the management of sunitinib induced colitis.
Insights
Sunitinib treatment for renal cell carcinoma can cause drug-induced colitis. This case highlights the importance of monitoring for diarrhea and managing sunitinib-associated colitis, even with unusual pathological findings.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Sunitinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, treats renal cell carcinoma, gastrointestinal stromal tumors, and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.
- Diarrhea is a common side effect of tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
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