Duodenal Perforation Secondary to Erlotinib Therapy in a Patient With Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Rafiullah, MD; Wardah Sayed Shah, MBBS; Navid Abdul Majid, MD; Rezwan Islam, MD

WMJ. 2017;116(1):34-36.

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ABSTRACT

Lung cancer is a lethal disease with high mortality, and treatment modality varies with type of tumor and stage of the disease. Targeted molecular therapies have been developed for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. The presence of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation qualifies the patient for EGFR-TKI (tyrosine kinase inhibitor) therapy such as erlotinib, which is not without risk. We report an interesting case of duodenal perforation secondary to erlotinib therapy. This is the second reported case of bowel perforation after erlotinib therapy in a patient with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

Author Affiliations: Associate of Internal Medicine, Bone Marrow Transplant Program, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa (Rafiullah); Clinical Adjunct Assistant Professor of Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wis (Shah, Islam); Internal/Hospital Medicine, Ministry Saint Clare’s Hospital, Weston, Wis (Majid); Department of Oncology/Hematology, Marshfield Clinic, Weston, Wis (Islam).
Corresponding Author: Rafiullah, MD, Bone Marrow Transplant Program, University of Iowa, C332 General Hospital, 200 Hawkins Dr, Iowa City, IA 52242; phone 715.574.6202; e-mail drrafiullahkhan@yahoo.com.
Acknowledgements: The authors thank Marie Fleisner of the Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation’s Office of Scientific Writing and Publication for editorial assistance in the preparation of this report.
Funding/Support: None declared.
Financial Disclosures: None declared.

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