A 54-year-old, gravida 2, para 2, married woman presented with recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer (endometrioid adenocarcinoma). She had noninsulin dependent diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy, and hypertension. Seven years earlier, she underwent coronary artery bypass grafting due to coronary artery disease.\nThree years ago, she was transferred to our center after laparoscopic bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy which led to a diagnosis of epithelial ovarian cancer. She underwent a debulking operation, including total abdominal hysterectomy and pelvic and paraaortic lymph node dissection, total omentectomy, appendectomy, peritoneal mass excision, and left ureter resection and anastomosis. The tumor was categorized as International Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology (FIGO) stage IIIc and cytoreductive surgery was suboptimal. Following the surgery, she received 6 cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy with paclitaxel/carboplatin. However, because there was disease progression in this patient, she was further treated with 3 cycles of topotecan, followed by 3 cycles of docetaxel. An abdomino-pelvic computed tomography (CT) scan showed aggravation of disease and her serum carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA-125) concentration was elevated from 534 to 1,270 U/mL. We decided to change her chemotherapy regimen to ifosfamide monotherapy.\nShe was started on ifosfamide 1,200 mg/m2/day, administered via continuous infusion on days 1-3 of each 4 week cycle, along with mesna 300 mg/m2/day. On the third day she received ifosfamide, her mental status worsened, with a change from drowsiness to stupor, followed by disorientation, stereotyped movements, and emotional instability. She had no lateralizing neurologic signs. Her blood test results, including measurements of serum glucose, brain natriuretic peptide, and electrolytes, were normal, and her cerebrospinal fluid was negative for malignant cells. In addition, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings were normal. An electroencephalogram showed frequent 1-1.5 Hz periodic or single triphasic waves on both hemispheres (). She was diagnosed with ifosfamide-induced encephalopathy, and her chemotherapy was discontinued immediately. Her neurologic symptoms and signs did not improve. Despite the supportive care, her encephalopathy became aggravated, and she developed ifosfamide-induced acute tubular necrosis. She was discharged without any hope for recovery and died within 1 month.
Our patient was a 71 year old woman diagnosed with a high-grade right triceps pleomorphic sarcoma in 2017, which was resected with a wide local excision and treated with adjuvant radiation. A surveillance computed tomography (CT) scan of the thorax showed metastases to the lung and mediastinum in September 2018 and she was treated with 6 cycles of doxorubicin. Progression of disease identified in January 2019 necessitated a change of treatment to ifosfamide and mesna, and she was admitted for each cycle. Re-staging CT scan after 2 cycles demonstrated an interval decrease in the size and number of the multiple pulmonary nodules with one nodule reducing in size from 18 mm down to 6 mm, complete resolution of a 15 mm right para-oesophageal node and no new disease identified.\nPast medical history included hypertension, hysterectomy for menorrhagia and appendectomy. Her medications on admission were lercanidipine, losartan, hydrochlorothiazide, potassium supplement, enoxaparin (thrombosis prophylaxis), senna, domperidone, aprepitant, Fortisip Compact Fibre, Procal Shot, multivitamin and evening primrose oil (not administered due to unknown possible drug interactions). She was known to develop a rash with penicillin but had no other allergies.\nExamination on admission for cycle 3 was remarkable for oral candidiasis. Routine blood investigations identified potassium 2.7 mmol/l which was replaced with IV and oral potassium and albumin of 32 g/l. She developed nausea after day 2 and had one episode of vomiting.\nOn day 3, she was noted to be resting during the morning, however was easily rousable and able to stay awake. Chemotherapy was commenced at midday. Within 4 h, it was noted that she was difficult to rouse. Vital signs were within normal ranges. A blood gas confirmed a potassium of 2.7 mmol/l, but no other abnormality was identified and the pH was uncompensated and in the normal range. An ECG was unremarkable. It was hypothesized that she had developed ifosfamide encephalopathy and an EEG was obtained.