Extensive arterial and venous thrombo-embolism with chemotherapy for testicular cancer: A case report

Abstract

Germ cell tumours tend to affect young adults and with advanced treatments achieve more than 90% cure rates. Over the years cisplatin has significantly improved the relapse free survival in these patients, hence forming an essential component of chemotherapy regimes. But, the thromboembolic complications suffered with cisplatin significantly affect the quality of life in these young patients. We describe a young adult who suffered a potentially fatal cerebral and pulmonary vascular insult on completing first cycle of cisplatin-based chemotherapy for a non-seminomatous germ cell tumour. Venous and arterial thrombo-embolism was the mechanism of injury and was promptly managed surgically and medically including neuro-rehabilitation. © 2009 Batra et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.