© Copyright 2008 by the Society for Neuro-Oncology
Received March 25, 2008
Accepted August 13, 2008
Colon Perforation During Anti-Angiogenic Therapy for Malignant Glioma
Andrew D. Norden 1*,
Jan Drappatz 2,
Abigail Slate Ciampa 3,
Lisa Doherty 3,
Debra Conrad LaFrankie 3,
Santosh Kesari 2,
Patrick Y. Wen 2
1 Center for Neuro-Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 44 Binney St., Boston, MA, 02115
2 Division of Neuro-Oncology, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA; Center for Neuro-Oncology, Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
3 Center for Neuro-Oncology, Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: anorden{at}partners.org.
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Abstract |
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Anti-angiogenic drugs have emerged as effective treatment options for patients with recurrent malignant gliomas (MG). Though this class of drugs is generally well-tolerated, rare life-threatening complications including thromboembolism, hemorrhage, and gastrointestinal (GI) perforation are reported. We describe six cases of GI perforation among 244 glioma patients (2.5%) during treatment with anti-angiogenic agents in combination with chemotherapy and corticosteroids. Two patients succumbed to this complication, and the others recovered. Because GI perforation is a life-threatening yet treatable complication, neuro-oncologists must have a low threshold to consider it in patients on anti-angiogenic drug therapy who present with abdominal pain and other GI complaints
Key Words:
Anti-angiogenic drugs, bevacizumab, gastrointestinal perforation, malignant glioma
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