Pericardial effusion and tamponade following interferon alpha treatment for locally advanced melanoma

Med Oncol. 2012 Jun;29(2):1304-7. doi: 10.1007/s12032-011-9935-7. Epub 2011 Apr 17.

Abstract

Regional Metastatic Melanoma has a relatively high mortality rate. Adjuvant interferon-alpha (IFN-α) has been shown to improve disease-free survival, post-resection. Cardiotoxicity associated with IFN-α use has been described previously in the literature, but here we describe the first case of pericardial effusion with cardiac tamponade secondary to IFN-α 2b treatment of melanoma. Clinicians should be aware of this potentially lethal complication and the possible acuity of its onset.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cardiac Tamponade / chemically induced*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha / adverse effects*
  • Melanoma / drug therapy*
  • Melanoma / secondary
  • Pericardial Effusion / chemically induced*
  • Prognosis
  • Recombinant Proteins / adverse effects

Substances

  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Recombinant Proteins