[Devastating surgical complications after aflibercept chemotherapy].

BACKGROUND: The use of a new chemotherapy as adjuvant treatment of colorectal cancer is not free of complications. Monoclonal antibodies are associated with bleeding and intestinal perforations.

OBJECTIVE: To report the case of a patient who developed a serious complication after treatment with an antiangiogenic drug for colorectal neoplasm.

CLINICAL CASE: The case is presented of a 42-year-old male operated on due to subocclusive rectal cancer with metástasis at the time of diagnosis. Sixteen months after surgery during second-line adjuvant therapy, an intestinal perforation was observed with haemorrhage and intestinal leak to retroperitoneum and left lower extremity. Despite intensive medical and surgical treatment this complication had fatal consequences.

CONCLUSIONS: Future research should be directed at obtaining biomarkers for the specific use of antiangiogenic agents in order to decrease the rate of adverse factors.