Fruquintinib beneficial in elderly patient with neoplastic pericardial effusion from rectal cancer:A case report

摘要

BACKGROUND Neoplastic pericardial effusion(NPE)is a rare consequence of rectal cancer and carries a poor prognosis.Optimal management has yet to be determined.Fruquintinib is an oral anti-vascular endothelial growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor approved by the China Food and Drug Administration in September 2018 as third-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer.CASE SUMMARY Herein,we report an elderly patient with NPE from rectal cancer who responded to the use of fruquintinib.In March 2015,a 65-year-old Chinese woman diagnosed with KRAS-mutated adenocarcinoma of the rectum was subjected to proctectomy,adjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy,and adjuvant chemotherapy.By October 2018,a mediastinal mass was detected via computed tomography.The growth had invaded parietal pericardium and left hilum,displaying features of rectal adenocarcinoma in a bronchial biopsy.FOLFIRI and FOLFOX chemotherapeutic regimens were administered as first-and second-line treatments.After two cycles of second-line agents,a sizeable pericardial effusion resulting in tamponade was drained by pericardial puncture.Fluid cytology showed cells consistent with rectal adenocarcinoma.Single-agent fruquintinib was initiated on January 3,2019,as a third-line therapeutic.Ten cycles were delivered before the NPE recurred and other lesions progressed.The recurrence-free interval for NPE was 9.2 mo,attesting to the efficacy of fruquintinib.Ultimately,the patient entered a palliative care unit for best supportive care.CONCLUSION Fruquintinib may confer good survival benefit in elderly patients with NPEs due to rectal cancer.