Switching cisplatin to carboplatin in chemotherapy for metastatic penile cancer in a patient intolerant to cisplatin

Abstract

Introduction Cisplatin is currently the key drug in the chemotherapy regimen for metastatic penile cancer. There are few reports of alternative medicines for patients who cannot tolerate cisplatin. This report describes a case in which carboplatin was used instead. Case presentation The patient presented with a chief complaint of edema in the groin area. On close examination, penile cancer (cT2‐3N3M0 stage IV) with pelvic lymph node metastasis was diagnosed. He was started on chemotherapy with cisplatin (50 mg/m2 on days 1 and 2), paclitaxel (120 mg/m2 on day 1), and 5‐fluorouracil (1000 mg/m2 on days 2–5), but he developed acute kidney failure on the 12th day, thought to be caused by cisplatin. Cisplatin was changed to carboplatin, and chemotherapy was continued. He has received nine courses of chemotherapy and is doing well. Conclusion A case of penile cancer safely and effectively treated with chemotherapy using carboplatin was reported.

Keywords

• advanced penile cancer
• carboplatin
• chemotherapy
• cisplatin unfit