Tumor lysis syndrome associated with weekly paclitaxel treatment in a case with ovarian cancer.

BACKGROUND: Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) is characterized by biochemical changes such as hyperuricemia and hyperkalemia due to rapid tumor lysis of malignant cells, usually after chemotherapy. TLS is a rare complication in nonhematological malignancies.

CASE: A 53-year-old female received intravenous weekly paclitaxel for recurrent ovarian cancer with massive ascites. Five days following the administration of paclitaxel, the patient developed TLS. She responded well to appropriate treatment with a combination of vigorous intravenous hydration, furosemide, allopurinol, and sodium bicarbonate.

CONCLUSION: This case report describes the first patient to develop TLS following paclitaxel administration for ovarian cancer. Our case is extremely exceptional because TLS occurred after the low dosage administration of paclitaxel for relatively insensitive tumor types without any risk factors.