Typhlitis resulting from treatment with taxol and doxorubicin in patients with metastatic breast cancer

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Typhlitis is being recognized with increasing frequency as a serious complication of aggressive chemotherapy for hematologic and solid malignancies. METHODS: In this report the authors describe two cases of typhlitis in patients with metastatic breast cancer treated with taxol and doxorubicin. RESULTS: Both cases occurred during the first cycle of treatment with taxol (180 mg/m2) and doxorubicin (75 mg/m2), being given simultaneously as 72-hour continuous intravenous infusions. CONCLUSION: Two cases of typhlitis have occurred after combined treatment with taxol and doxorubicin, while typhlitis has not been described after treatment with either drug alone.