Angina pectoris following cisplatin, etoposide, and bleomycin in a patient with advanced testicular cancer

Abstract

Objective: To report a case of angina pectoris associated with chemotherapy for testicular cancer.

Case summary: An HIV-infected patient with massive retroperitoneal metastases of a mixed embryonal and undifferentiated teratocarcinoma was treated with cisplatin, etoposide, and bleomycin. While the patient was receiving the second course of chemotherapy, he developed several episodes of angina pectoris that responded to nitroglycerin. Coronary angiography excluded structural abnormalities in the coronary arteries. The patient was treated prophylactically with nifedipine during the 2 following courses of chemotherapy with no new ischemic events.

Discussion: Coronary vasospasm seemed to be responsible for the angina in this patient. Several pathogenetic mechanisms that could explain these vascular events are discussed, including the possible role of bulky metastatic disease.

Conclusions: The combination of cisplatin, etoposide, and bleomycin for testicular cancer, perhaps associated with bulky metastatic disease, can induce vasospastic phenomena that might be life-threatening.