Chemotherapy for small cell lung cancer in a patient with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

Abstract

Thrombocytopenia is one of the most important and serious co-morbid conditions in patients with hematological malignancies as well as non-hematological solid tumors. We report herein a small cell lung cancer (SCLC) patient with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) who was successfully treated with chemotherapy containing cisplatin and etoposide. It is probably safe to administer chemotherapeutic agents for some cancer patients with ITP, but prevention or minimization of toxicities of these chemotherapeutic agents is very important. Full consideration about the indication of chemotherapy and careful observation are required for such patients.