Gemcitabine-induced peripheral vascular disease and prolonged response in a patient with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma: A case report

BACKGROUND: Gemcitabine is an antimetabolite used in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. One of the side effects of gemcitabine is vascular toxicity. Here, we report the case of a patient treated with gemcitabine who had peripheral vascular disease concomitant with a prolonged antitumor response. CASE SUMMARY: A 75-year-old man was diagnosed with locally recurrent pancreatic cancer. Partial response was achieved after 9 mo of gemcitabine. At the same time, the patient reported peripheral vascular disease without necrosis. Chemotherapy was suspended, and after one month the Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan showed locoregional tumor recurrence. Gemcitabine was resumed and partial response was obtained, but peripheral vascular disease occurred. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the appearance of peripheral vascular disease may be related to a prolonged response to gemcitabine.