Thursday, September 25, 2008

gemcitabine-induced thrombotic microangiopathy

Another oncologic medication with a specific renal side effect is gemcitabine (Gemzar), a nucleoside analogue used with frequency to treat cancer of the lung, pancreas, breast and colon to name a few.  

Gemcitabine can cause a thrombotic microangiopathy, having been reported at an incidence of 0.31% according to a paper by Humphreys et al (in Cancer 2004).  It should be considered in any cancer patient receiving this medication with new onset renal failure, hypertension, or thrombocytopenia.

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