Intestinal perforation after nivolumab immunotherapy for a malignant melanoma: a case report.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Nivolumab is a monoclonal antibody against programmed death 1 and has become a standard treatment of advanced melanoma because of its durable response and survival benefits. In this report, we present a case of severe intestinal perforation after nivolumab immunotherapy for malignant melanoma.

CASE PRESENTATION:

A 73-year-old man with stage IV malignant melanoma underwent nivolumab therapy. The patient presented to our hospital because of a progressing abdominal pain. Radiological evaluation revealed evidence of free intraperitoneal air. Therefore, we diagnosed the patient as having an intestinal perforation, which was successfully resolved after surgical treatment.

CONCLUSION:

Although intestinal perforation after nivolumab immunotherapy is rare, it can be severe and requires early diagnosis and emergency surgery to ensure a favorable prognosis.

• Authors: Koji Yasuda, Toshiaki Tanaka, Soichiro Ishihara, Kensuke Otani, Takeshi Nishikawa, Tomomichi Kiyomatsu, Kazushige Kawai, Keisuke Hata, Hiroaki Nozawa, Yuri Masui, Yukako Shintani, Toshiaki Watanabe
• Journal: Surgical case reports (Surg Case Rep) Vol. 3 Issue 1 Pg. 94 (Aug 25 2017) ISSN: 2198-7793 [Print] Germany
• PMID: 28842844 (Publication Type: Journal Article)