Uveoretinal Adverse Effects Presented during Systemic Anticancer Chemotherapy: a 10-Year Single Center Experience

J Korean Med Sci. 2018 Feb 12;33(7):e55. doi: 10.3346/jkms.2018.33.e55.

Abstract

Background: The present study describes our 10-year experience with uveoretinal adverse events that manifest because of chemotherapy.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed for all patients who presented to the ophthalmologic department while undergoing systemic chemotherapy between July 2005 and June 2015.

Results: A total of 55 patients (mean age, 51.2 years, 38 women [69.1%]) suspected of having uveoretinal disease owing to the use of chemotherapeutic agents alone were enrolled. Breast cancer was the predominant disease (36.4%); noninfectious anterior uveitis (21.8%) was the most common condition. Bilateral involvement was observed in 16 patients (29.1%). Although cisplatin (21.8%) was the most commonly used drug, daunorubicin, cytarabine, tamoxifen, toremifene, and imatinib were also frequently used. The median duration until ophthalmologic diagnosis was 208.5 days (range, 19-5,945 days). The proportion of patients with final visual acuity (VA) < 20/40 Snellen VA (0.5 decimal VA) was 32.7%. However, no relationship was observed between final VA < 20/40 and age, sex, therapeutic agents, and metastasis.

Conclusion: Uveoretinal complications were mostly mild to moderate and exhibited a favorable response to conservative therapy. A considerable number of patients exhibited significant irreversible loss of vision after cessation of the causative chemotherapeutic agent. Ophthalmological monitoring is required during chemotherapy.

Keywords: Cancer Chemotherapy Agents; Chemotherapy; Drug Toxicity; Targeted Molecular Therapy; Uveitis.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Corneal Diseases / diagnosis
  • Corneal Diseases / etiology
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Uveitis / diagnosis
  • Uveitis / etiology*
  • Visual Acuity
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents