Hanaoka N, Higuchi K, Tanabe S, Sasaki T, Ishido K, Ae T, Koizumi W, Saigenji K. Fulminant amoebic colitis during chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer. World J Gastroenterol 2009; 15(27): 3445-3447 [PMID: 19610151 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.15.3445]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Dr. Noboru Hanaoka, Department of Gastroenterology, Kitasato University School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Asamizodai, Sagamihara-City, Kanagawa 228-8520, Japan. hanaoka-no@mc.pref.osaka.jp
Article-Type of This Article
Case Report
Open-Access Policy of This Article
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Noboru Hanaoka, Katsuhiko Higuchi, Satoshi Tanabe, Tohru Sasaki, Kenji Ishido, Takako Ae, Wasaburo Koizumi, Katsunori Saigenji, Department of Gastroenterology, Kitasato University School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Asamizodai, Sagamihara-City, Kanagawa 228-8520, Japan
Author contributions: Higuchi K and Tanabe S took part in management of the treatment and analyzed the data together with Hanaoka N, Sasaki T, Ishido K, Ae T and Koizumi W, Saigenji K; Higuchi K co-wrote the paper. All the authors discussed the results and commented on the manuscript.
Correspondence to: Dr. Noboru Hanaoka, Department of Gastroenterology, Kitasato University School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Asamizodai, Sagamihara-City, Kanagawa 228-8520, Japan. hanaoka-no@mc.pref.osaka.jp
Telephone: +81-42-7489111
Fax: +81-42-7484288
Received: March 9, 2009 Revised: May 19, 2009 Accepted: May 26, 2009 Published online: July 21, 2009
Abstract
A 52-year-old man had bloody stools during chemotherapy for gastric cancer. A colonoscopy revealed necrotizing ulcer-like changes. A biopsy confirmed the presence of amoebic trophozoites. Subsequently, peritonitis with intestinal perforation developed, and emergency peritoneal lavage and colostomy were performed. After surgery, endotoxin adsorption therapy was performed and metronidazole was given. Symptoms of peritonitis and colonitis resolved. However, the patient’s general condition worsened with the progression of gastric cancer. The patient died 50 d after surgery. Fulminant amoebic colitis is very rarely associated with chemotherapy. Amoebic colitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients who have bloody stools during chemotherapy.
