Chemotherapy causes cancer! A case report of therapy related acute myeloid leukaemia in early stage breast cancer

Ulster Med J. 2013 May;82(2):97-9.

Abstract

Use of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in the adjuvant setting has improved survival for many patients with malignancy. Unfortunately multimodality treatment can come at a price, in particular therapy-related malignancies. This has importance in that patients must be made aware of this potential detriment from therapy and doctors must consider this diagnosis in those patients who are cancer survivors and presenting with health problems. We present a case report and brief overview of the literature regarding chemotherapy-induced acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) following therapy for early stage breast cancer.

Keywords: adjuvant chemotherapy; breast cancer; therapy-related leukaemia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / adverse effects*
  • Breast Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / therapy*
  • Chemoradiotherapy, Adjuvant / adverse effects*
  • Cyclophosphamide / administration & dosage
  • Doxorubicin / administration & dosage
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / etiology*
  • Mastectomy
  • Middle Aged
  • Tamoxifen / administration & dosage

Substances

  • Tamoxifen
  • Doxorubicin
  • Cyclophosphamide