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Cisplatin‐associated hemolytic‐uremic syndrome. Successful treatment with a staphylococcal protein A column
Author(s) -
Watson Peter R.,
Guthrie Troy H.,
Caruana Ralph J.
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(19891001)64:7<1400::aid-cncr2820640705>3.0.co;2-n
Subject(s) - medicine , cisplatin , fulminant , chemotherapy , dialysis , hemolysis , gastroenterology , perfusion , surgery
Cisplatin‐associated hemolytic‐uremic syndrome (HUS), an under‐reported form of HUS induced by chemotherapy, typically pursues a fulminant and lethal course. We report the cases of two patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck who developed massive hemolysis, profound thrombocytopenia, and dialysis‐dependent renal failure after therapy with cisplatin. Plasma exchange was ineffective in both patients, but plasma perfusion with a staphylococcal protein A column produced a dramatic and permanent response in the second patient. These cases show the importance of considering HUS as a cause of renal failure in such patients who receive cisplatin‐based chemotherapy, and support the role of staphylococcal protein A plasma perfusion as treatment for this condition.