Open AccessImatinib-induced pleural effusion: A case report
Author(s) -
Radhika Banka,
Zarir Udwadia
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of postgraduate medicine/journal of postgraduate medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.405
H-Index - 52
eISSN - 0972-2823
pISSN - 0022-3859
DOI - 10.4103/0022-3859.194227
Subject(s) - medicine , imatinib , pleural effusion , thoracentesis , stromal tumor , dasatinib , imatinib mesylate , gist , adverse effect , tyrosine kinase inhibitor , gastroenterology , pathology , stromal cell , cancer , myeloid leukemia
Imatinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor and has rarely been reported to cause pleural effusion. We report the case of an 88-year-old male, known case of gastrointestinal stromal tumor on treatment with imatinib, who presented with a 2-week history of cough and dyspnea. He was diagnosed to have a right-sided pleural effusion and thoracentesis of the fluid revealed an exudate with low adenosine deaminase and negative cytology. Withdrawal of the drug lead to resolution of symptoms. We report this case to highlight the side effect profile of imatinib and warn physicians regarding this potential adverse effect which may be mistaken for metastasis or infection.