Dacarbazine-induced carotid artery and deep venous thrombosis in a patientwith leiomyosarcoma: Case report

Thromboembolic events are a common and important cause of morbidity and mor tality in cancer patients that require early diagnosis and treatment. Repor ts have suggested that chemotherapeutic agents may contribute to this risk, In this case report, a 60-year-old male patient on chemotherapy (dacarbazi ne and doxorubicin) for leiomyosarcoma with no previous history of thromboe mbolism developed left carotid artery thrombosis 3 days after the first cyc le of chemotherapy, A low molecular weight heparin was started for a possib le cerebrovascular accident-related thrombosis. In the second cycle, he dev eloped right femoral vein thrombosis only 2 days after initiating the chemo therapy, The chemotherapy protocol was changed and the patient did not deve lop any thrombosis during the 1-year follow-up, In the literature, no throm botic complications have previously been reported due to either dacarbazine or doxorubicin. In conclusion, elderly patients on chemotherapy should be carefully monitored for thromboembolic complications and, in case of thromb osis, the chemotherapy protocol should be changed.