Acute pleural and pericardial effusion induced by chemotherapy in treating chronic myelocytic leukemia.

BACKGROUND

Report of a rare and serious complication of chemotherapy with daunorubicin and cytarabine (DA regimen).

METHODS

We report a special case of a patient diagnosed chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) with accelerated phase, who simultaneously suffered from acute pleural and pericardial effusion while receiving chemotherapeutic treatment with DA regimen.

RESULTS

Following treatment with DA regimen, the patient had the symptoms of chest distress and shortness of breath, followed by respiratory failure and pericardial tamponade. The patient's condition was improved when treated with the puncturation through the pericardium and pleural cavity, coupled with glucocorticosteroid treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Physicians should be made aware of the potential for emergency pleural and pericardial effusion caused by daunorubicin and cytarabine in order to accurately diagnose and treat these conditions and thereby decrease mortality related to chemotherapy.