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.