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Neutropenic Enterocolitis in Adults: Case Series and Review of the Literature

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Necrotizing enterocolitis in adults is a rare disease and, in the past, has been associated with nearly uniform mortality. In recent years, necrotizing enterocolitis, now termed neutropenic enterocolitis, in adults has become more prevalent as a complication of aggressive systemic chemotherapy. In this report, we discuss two cases of neutropenic enterocolitis secondary to the administration of systemic chemotherapy in adult cancer patients: one with lung carcinoma, the other with leukemia. Both patients were successfully treated with early surgical intervention for resection of all necrotizing enteric lesions, and subsequent aggressive critical care support. Our experience suggests that early surgical intervention in adult patients with intestinal necrosis due to chemotherapy is essential to avoid mortality from this condition. Given the widespread, aggressive use of systemic chemotherapy in the neoadjuvant setting, patients at risk for this potentially lethal complication of neutropenic enterocolitis are increasingly common.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Baltimore VA Medical Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA

    Steven C. Cunningham MD, Karim Fakhry, Barbara L. Bass MD & Lena M. Napolitano MD

Authors
  1. Steven C. Cunningham MD
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  2. Karim Fakhry
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  3. Barbara L. Bass MD
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  4. Lena M. Napolitano MD
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Correspondence to Lena M. Napolitano MD.

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Cunningham, S.C., Fakhry, K., Bass, B.L. et al. Neutropenic Enterocolitis in Adults: Case Series and Review of the Literature. Dig Dis Sci 50, 215–220 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-005-1585-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-005-1585-1

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