Treatment-related myelodysplasia/AML in a patient with a history of breast cancer and an oligodendroglioma treated with temozolomide: case study and review of the literature

Neuro Oncol. 2006 Jul;8(3):280-3. doi: 10.1215/15228517-2006-003. Epub 2006 May 25.

Abstract

The emergence of temozolomide as an effective alkylating agent with little acute toxicity or cumulative myelosuppression has led to protracted courses of chemotherapy for many patients with gliomas. Secondary, or treatment-related, myelodysplasia (t-MDS) and acute myelogenous leukemia (t-AML) are life-threatening complications of alkylating chemotherapy and have been reported in patients with primary brain tumors. We describe a case of temozolomide-related t-MDS/AML and discuss the clinical features of this condition. Administration of an alkylating agent in patient populations with long median survivals must be undertaken with an understanding of the potential for this treatment complication.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Dacarbazine / adverse effects
  • Dacarbazine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / chemically induced
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / drug therapy*
  • Myelodysplastic Syndromes / chemically induced
  • Myelodysplastic Syndromes / drug therapy*
  • Neoplasms, Second Primary / chemically induced
  • Neoplasms, Second Primary / drug therapy*
  • Oligodendroglioma / drug therapy*
  • Temozolomide

Substances

  • Dacarbazine
  • Temozolomide