Cetuximab-induced esophageal ulcer: the first report in literature.

Cetuximab, a monoclonal antibody to the extracellular domain of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), is indicated for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancers and head–neck cancers. Cetuximab is generally well tolerated but some side effects, such as skin rash, malaise, vomiting, diarrhea, hypomagnesemia, and hypersensitivity reactions, have been reported. Esophageal ulcer in patients receiving cetuximab treatment has not been described previously. We herein report a 59-year-old man diagnosed with metastatic rectal cancer with esophageal ulcers associated with cetuximab after five cycles of treatment. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report that shows cetuximab may induce esophageal ulcers, which may be precursor lesions to a gastrointestinal tract perforation. (Published: 24 February 2014) Citation: Libyan J Med 2014, 9 : 23723 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/ljm.v9.23723