2006 Volume 46 Issue 4 Pages 353-356
Background. Cerebrovascular events after chemotherapy for lung cancer are relatively rare. Case. A 50-year-old man with advanced lung cancer (squamous cell carcinoma, T4N3M0 stage III B) had chemoradiotherapy (cisplatin+docetaxel) since November 2004. After temporary reduction, tumor regrowth occurred, and then second line chemotherapy (carboplatin+paclitaxel) was started in June 2005. The day after initiation of second line chemotherapy, left hemiparesis and speech disturbance appeared, but the symptoms totally disappeared in 1 hour. Because brain MRI and MRA, electrocardiography, and echocardiography were not able to detect the cause of the cerebrovascular event, it was diagnosed as a transient ischemic attack (TIA). He received vinorelbine in October 2005, a third line chemotherapy, and he had a TIA again the next day after initiation of vinorelbine administration. He is now receiving best supportive care and has had no TIA or cerebral ischemic stroke since then. Conclusion. We must be aware of cerebrovascular events as adverse effects of chemotherapy for lung cancer.
