Document Type
Article
Publication Title
Cureus
Abstract
Colorectal adenocarcinoma is the most prevalent form of colorectal cancer, representing the majority of cases in the United States. The disease is driven by a series of genetic mutations, including alterations in the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC), Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog G12D (KRAS), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 immunohistochemistry 3+ (HER-2 IHC3+), checkpoint kinase 2 (CHEK-2) and tumor protein P53 (TP53) genes, which lead to malignant transformation. While the standard treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) typically involves chemotherapy and targeted therapies, many patients experience disease progression, necessitating the exploration of novel treatments. Fruquintinib, a highly selective vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGFR) inhibitor, has emerged as a promising option for mCRC patients who have exhausted conventional therapies. However, its use is associated with significant bleeding risks, including rare but severe complications such as cerebellar hemorrhage. This case report presents a patient with mCRC who developed a cerebellar hemorrhage shortly after initiating fruquintinib therapy, highlighting the need for careful patient monitoring and individualized risk assessment to mitigate such serious adverse events.
DOI
10.7759/cureus.68203
Publication Date
8-30-2024
Keywords
chemotherapy, targeted therapy, VEGFR inhibitor, cerebellar hemorrhage, side effects, fruzaqla, fruquintinib, metastatic colorectal cancer (MCRC), metastatic colorectal adenocarcinoma
ISSN
2168-8184
Recommended Citation
Jones DT, Cruz G, Lugue MT, Heer MS, Sai M, Pace C, Bui L, Silver SA. Fruquintinib-Induced Cerebellar Hemorrhage in Left-Sided Descending Metastatic Colorectal Adenocarcinoma: A Case Report and Risk Assessment. Cureus. 2024; 16(8). doi: 10.7759/cureus.68203.
