Recovery from mitomycin C-induced hemolytic uremic syndrome. A case report

Mitomycin C (MMC) is a cytotoxic agent that may induce a hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) with severe renal insufficiency. Of all reported patients with terminal renal failure only two survived with chronic hemodialysis. A patient with advanced gastric cancer in complete remission, who developed MMC-induced HUS, is reported; hemodialysis was necessary because of oliguria. Hemolysis subsided, and after addition of captopril renal function recovered partially. The patient is alive 6 months after discontinuation of hemodialysis. Recently she developed brain metastases. Symptoms of hemolysis did not recur. The pathogenesis and treatment of HUS are discussed.