THROMBOSIS OF TIBIAL ARTERIES IN A PATIENT RECEIVING TAMOXIFEN THERAPY

Background. Tamoxifen has been used extensively as adjuvant therapy in the treatment of pre- and postmenopausal patients with breast cancer. One of its known complications is venous thromboembolism. However, ar terial thrombosis has been reported rarely. Methods. A 49-year-old pat ient with breast cancer had had a total mastectomy 3 years earlier. Sh e was receiving tamoxifen therapy when she developed a sudden onset of pain and numbness of the left foot and calf. An arteriogram showed th rombosis of her tibial arteries. Results. This thrombosis was lysed su ccessfully with urokinase therapy, and tamoxifen therapy was discontin ued. At follow-up 4 months later, the patient had normal circulation t o both legs. Conclusions. Patients receiving tamoxifen should be monit ored closely for the development of venous or arterial thromboembolism .