Abstract
Drug-induced thrombocytopenia is an uncommon but serious side effect. In some cases, it can prove fatal if not taken care of urgently. We report the case of a 70-year-old Japanese female with malignant melanoma at clinical stage of II, T2N0M0, according to the criteria for oral cancer treated with surgery followed by concomitant dacarbazine, nimustine, vincristine, and interferon beta (DAVFeron) therapy. When she was being evaluated for adjuvant DAVFeron therapy after 3 courses, she developed acute severe progressive thrombocytopenia requiring platelet transfusion. Thrombocytopenia was reversible in few days without further therapeutic intervention. Bone marrow involvement was excluded. The mechanism of this side effect remains unclear. The patient's platelet count remained normal for more than 12 months thereafter. Clinicians must be aware of this rare, but serious side effect. Herein, we report a case of acute thrombocytopenia after DAVFeron therapy that occurred in an oral malignant melanoma patient.
