Gemcitabine-induced pleuropericardial effusion in a patient with pancreatic cancer

Pleuropericardial effusion is an extremely rare complication of gemcitabine chemotherapy. The patient was a 56-year-old woman administered systemic chemotherapy with gemcitabine for local recurrence of pancreatic cancer and lymph node metastasis developing 4 years after pancreaticoduodenectomy. Four months after the start of the chemotherapy, she presented with exertional dyspnea and edema in both her legs and face. Echocardiography and computed tomography revealed pericardial and bilateral pleural effusion. A pericardiocentesis was immediately performed to prevent the development of cardiac tamponade as well as to examine the cause of the pericardial effusion. As a result, the patient's exertional dyspnea and edema resolved. No metastases to the thorax or mediastinum were noted. A cytological study of the pericardial and pleural effusions revealed no malignant cells. Cultures for bacteria, mycobacteria and fungi were negative. Tests for autoantibodies indicating autoimmune disease were also negative, and hormonal assays for the detection of endocrine disease were normal. She was followed up after discontinuation of the gemcitabine treatment, and no further episodes of pericardial or pleural effusion occurred. Thus, it is speculated that the pericardial effusion and bilateral pleural effusion may have been caused by gemcitabine.