Abstract
We report a case of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy developing during modified FOLFOX6 therapy for colon cancer recurrence. A 72-year-old man who underwent surgery for advanced colon cancer received UFT/LV, FOLIFIRI, and mFOLFOX6 therapy for hepatic and pulmonary recurrences. On day 2 of his tenth course of mFOLFOX6, he noted a sudden onset of dyspnea. Electrocardiography showed abnormal Q waves in V1-4 and ST elevation and inverted T waves in V3-5. Echocardiography showed akinesis in most of the left ventricle, whereas the base of the left ventricle showed normal motion. He was diagnosed as having heart failure due to Takotsubo cardiomyopathy on the basis of this characteristic echocardiography findings. Chemotherapy was stopped because of the possibility that the mFOLFOX6 therapy included the causative drug. Nine days later, cardiac function improved with diuretic treatment. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy during chemotherapy is a rare condition with only 10 reported cases to date, and there is no proof that chemotherapy directly causes this cardiac disorder. However, considering recent findings in, one should regard Takotsubo cardiomyopathy as a possible adverse event during aggressive chemotherapy.
