Challenging refractory type B lactic acidosis in gastric adenocarcinoma—a successfully managed case

Type B lactic acidosis is a rare complication of gastric adenocarcinoma and is associated with poor prognosis. Very few cases have been reported in the literature. A 48-year-old female presented with recurrent episodes of vomiting, loss of appetite and loss of weight for 1 month duration. Endoscopy and subsequent biopsy revealed poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma at the pyloric antrum causing gastric outflow obstruction. Contrast enhanced computed tomography scan of the chest, abdomen and pelvis revealed a malignant neoplasm of the pylorus with no distant metastasis. She developed refractory lactic acidosis not responding to medical treatment. Distal gastrectomy with limited lymph node clearance was done and lactic acidosis improved. Pathophysiology of type B lactic acidosis in solid organ malignancies can be due to the rapid turnover of cells inducing anaerobic glycolysis, thiamine deficiency and extensive hepatic metastasis. This patient did not have hepatic metastasis. This is a successful, surgically managed case of type B lactic acidosis in a patient with gastric adenocarcinoma so far reported in the region. Type B lactic acidosis is very rare in gastric cancer. Patients with refractory lactic acidosis should bring about high suspicion of solid organ malignancies and good clinical outcomes can be obtained by the reduction of tumour burden.