[Leukoencephalopathy in a patient being treated for small cell lung cancer]

Nihon Kyobu Shikkan Gakkai Zasshi. 1995 Oct;33(10):1130-4.
[Article in Japanese]

Abstract

A 62-year-old man was given a diagnosis of small cell lung cancer, and received 6 courses of combination chemotherapy (PE therapy) composed of cisplatin (80 mg/m2, day 1) and etoposide (100 mg/m2, days 1, 2, 3). Multiple brain metastases were found, and whole brain irradiation (44 Gy) was given. Eleven months after radiotherapy, he suffered from dizziness and abnormal gait. Enhanced CT of the head showed slight enlargement of the lateral ventricles and markedly low density of the white matter, but no evidence of intracranial tumor involvement. A magnetic resonance scan (axial T2-weighted) showed symmetric extensive hyperintensity in the white matter. Treatment-related leukoencephalopathy caused by the PE therapy and whole brain irradiation was diagnosed. He was alive 8 months after the appearance of neurological symptoms, without recurrence of lung cancer. A search of the literature revealed no previous report of leukoencephalopathy related to PE therapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / adverse effects*
  • Brain Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Brain Neoplasms / secondary
  • Carcinoma, Small Cell / therapy*
  • Cisplatin / administration & dosage
  • Cisplatin / adverse effects
  • Cranial Irradiation
  • Etoposide / administration & dosage
  • Etoposide / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal / etiology*
  • Lung Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Radiotherapy / adverse effects

Substances

  • Etoposide
  • Cisplatin