Introduction
Rhabdomyolysis is a syndrome caused by the breakdown and necrosis of
muscle tissue and the release of intracellular content into the blood
stream, which is characterized by muscle weakness, pain and dark
tea-colored urine [1]. Laboratory tests show that serum creatine
kinase (CK) is elevated, which is an important basis for the diagnosis
of rhabdomyolysis. Rhabdomyolysis is generally considered to be
diagnosed when CK is at least 5 times normal or > 1000 U/L.
Severe rhabdomyolysis can lead to acute renal failure or even death. It
usually results from trauma, strenuous activities, infections,
hyperthermia, inherited enzyme deficiencies and myopathies. Medications
drugs such as lipid-lowering agents, psychiatric medications or
antimicrobials, are important causes of rhabdomyolysis. However,
rhabdomyolysis induced by anti-cancer drugs, especially chemotherapy
drugs, is rarely reported. Here, we describe a case with small cell lung
cancer(SCLC), who developed severe rhabdomyolysis after
etoposide-nedaplatin chemotherapy.
Drug-induced rhabdomyolysis is not a common problem of chemotherapy
drugs, but it is easily overlooked by physicians. Most cases can be
improved after immediate treatment, but there were still symptoms of
fatigue and pain, which seriously affected the quality of life. This
reminds physicians to be aware of
this rare but potentially serious
complication when using chemotherapy drugs, although the cause of
adverse reactions induced by anti-tumor drugs is still unclear.