International Journal of Hematology and Oncology 2023, Vol 33, Num 4 Page(s): 048-051
Hypoglycemia in a Patient With Metastatic Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor: Is Chemotherapy a Reasonable Option for Symptom Control?

Gamze G. DOGU1, Mustafa DIKILITAS2, Metin OZKAN2, O. Ibrahim KARAHAN3, Zuleyha KARACA4, Nejmiye GUNAY3, Ozlem ER2

1Kayseri Education and Research Hospital, Department of Medical Oncology, Kayseri, TURKEY
2Erciyes University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Oncology, Kayseri, TURKEY
3Erciyes University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Radiology, Kayseri, TURKEY
4Erciyes University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Endocrinology, Kayseri, TURKEY

Keywords: Hypoglycemia, Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor, Chemotherapy
Tumor induced hypoglycemia is a rare paraneoplastic phenomenon. However, hypoglycemia may also occur in solid tumors of epithelial or mesenchymal origin. Hypoglycemia caused by these types of tumours is referred to as non-islet cell tumour hypoglycemia (NICTH). Sunitinib is a drug that novel, oral, multitargeted tyrosine kinase. The biologic bases of the activity of sunitinib in patients with GISTs that are target multiple signaling pathways in tumor, stromal, and endothelial compartments. In this report, we describe a case of metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) presented with loss of consciousness due to hypoglycemia caused or worsened by sunitinib. In our opinion, who the patients with imatinib mesylate and sunitinib malate intolerant GIST, combination chemotherapy consisting of cisplatin and etoposid can be useful in the palliative setting, like our case.