Nasal septum perforation in the patients with advanced breast cancer due to the treatment of lapatinib+capecitabine

Abstract

Nasal septum perforation is a rare complication that can occur due to certain antineoplastic agents, especially antiangiogenic agents such as bevacizumab. There has been no case of nasal perforation case due to the treatment of lapatinib+capecitabine so far. Our case is nasal septum perforation occuring with the 38-year-old patient diagnosed with premenopausal advanced breast cancer during the treatment of lapatinib+capecitabine. It occured as epistaxis in the 30th month of patient's treatment. In the anterior rhinoscopy, nasal septum perforation was diagnosed. The patient had no nasal irritant or cocaine, or no trauma story. Although it is a rare complication, perforation due to lapatinib+capecitabine should be considered in the advanced breast cancer patients with the treatment of lapatinib+capecitabine when nasal symptoms (epistaxis, nasal congestion, local pain, irritation, rhinorrhea) occur.