VOLUME 10 , ISSUE 2 ( July-December, 2020 ) > List of Articles
Iyad Khamaysi, Eisa Hajj
Citation Information : Khamaysi I, Hajj E. Drug-induced Pancreatic Atrophy (“The Vanishing Pancreas”). Euroasian J Hepatogastroenterol 2020; 10 (2):101-102.
DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10018-1323
License: CC BY-NC 4.0
Published Online: 04-03-2021
Copyright Statement: Copyright © 2020; The Author(s).
Immune checkpoint inhibitors have become the therapeutic mainstay in a rapidly growing number of cancers. Immune checkpoint inhibitor-related diarrhea is attributed mainly to inflammatory colitis, with no other drug-related differential diagnosis. However, other causes of diarrhea should be considered. Pancreatic atrophy (and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency) is a relatively rare complication of immune checkpoint inhibitors. Herein we bring a set of striking computed tomography (CT) images that demonstrate a drug-related-progressive pancreatic atrophy until complete vanishing of pancreatic tissue. Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) was diagnosed. Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy was initiated with an excellent clinical response.