Thalidomide combined with endoscopy in the treatment of Cronkhite-Canada syndrome: A case report

BACKGROUND: Cronkhite-Canada syndrome (CCS) is a rare non-hereditary disease with a poor prognosis and a mortality rate of up to 55%. Currently, there is no standard treatment for CCS. The department of gastroenterology of our hospital admitted a patient with CCS whose symptoms improved significantly after treatment with thalidomide combined with endoscopy, and there was no obvious adverse reaction during the 2-year follow-up. CASE SUMMARY: A 47-year-old Chinese man presented with diarrhea for more than 4 mo, accompanied by loss of taste, fatigue, and weight loss. Physical examination demonstrated that the patient’s skin and hands were hyperpigmented, the front edges of the nails of both hands were notably thickened and yellow, and the nails were partially atrophied. Gastrointestinal endoscopy identified a diffuse polypoid bulge, and the patient bore an albumin level of 27.3 g/L. The level of the calcium correction amount was (2.164 mM) which allowed for a comprehensive diagnosis of Cronkhite-Canada syndrome, combined with hypoalbuminemia and hypocalcemia. Thalidomide of 150 mg per day was administered to regulate immunity, and the symptoms were relieved after 1 wk. During the follow-up period, polyps were still found that had not been resolved by thalidomide treatment, and endoscopic therapy was performed. This resulted in further improvement of his condition and no particular discomfort during the 2 years of follow-up. CONCLUSION: The patient’s symptoms were significantly relieved by thalidomide 2 years after treatment, proposing it as a potential treatment for CCS.