Korean J Gastroenterol.  2009 Nov;54(5):328-332. 10.4166/kjg.2009.54.5.328.

A Case of Pseudomenbranous Colitis after Paclitaxel and Carboplatin Chemotherapy

• Yang SW
• Moon W

• KMID: 1767740
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4166/kjg.2009.54.5.328

Abstract

Antibiotics-associated pseudomembranous colitis is well documented and caused by abnormal overgrowth of toxin producing Clostridium difficile colonizing the large bowel of patients undergoing antibiotic therapy. Administration of chemotherapeutic agents is frequently complicated by diarrhea and enterocolitis. However, pseudomembranous colitis related to chemotherapeutic agent usage is very rare. We experienced a 67 old-years male patient diagnosed of non-small cell lung carcinoma who complained of watery diarrhea and abdominal pain after treated with paclitaxel and carboplatin. Sigmoidoscopic examination revealed diffusely scattered, whitish to yellowish pseudo-membrane with background edematous hyperemic mucosa from sigmoid colon to rectum. Histopathologic findings were consistent with pseudomembranous colitis as typical volcano-like exudate. The symptoms improved after stopping chemotherapy and treatment with metronidazole. In patients with persistent diarrhea and abdominal pain after receiving chemotherapy agents, although rare, pseudomembranous colitis should be considered as a differential diagnosis.

Keyword

Pseudomembranous colitis; Clostridium difficile; Paclitaxel; Carboplatin; Chemotherapy

MeSH Terms

Aged
Anti-Infective Agents/therapeutic use
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/*adverse effects/therapeutic use
Carboplatin/*adverse effects/therapeutic use
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/drug therapy
Diagnosis, Differential
Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous/*diagnosis/etiology/pathology
Humans
Lung Neoplasms/drug therapy
Male
Metronidazole/therapeutic use
Paclitaxel/*adverse effects/therapeutic use
Sigmoidoscopy
Tomography, X-Ray Computed