Chronic gemcitabine-induced thrombotic microangiopathy in the kidneys

Abstract

Thrombotic microangiopathies (TMAs) are characterized by microvascular occlusion secondary to diffuse endothelial damage which produces inflammation, platelet aggregation and red blood cell destruction, causing ischemic injury to the affected organ. They are clinically characterized by Coombs-negative microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, and multiple organ damage (mainly of the kidneys, central nervous system, cardiovascular apparatus and gastrointestinal tract). They may occur systemically or locally, and they have multiple etiologies. In patients with cancer, determining the cause of thrombotic microangiopathy is a great diagnostic challenge, with the most frequent etiologies being active malignant neoplasms, disseminated intravascular coagulation, infections and antineoplastic drugs. We present the clinical case of a patient with unresectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma on chronic gemcitabine treatment, and highlight the importance of suspecting and distinguishing chemotherapy-induced TMAs from neoplasm-induced TMAs, as their prognosis and treatment are very different