Case report
Extravasation of doxorubicin – a dreaded complication of therapy

The majority of current chemotherapeutic regimens are based on intravenous administration. The most common and most frequent complication of chemotherapy is phlebitis, when given peripherally. The most feared complication of chemotherapy, such as in the case of doxorubicin, is extravasation. The extravasation itself is not always immediately obvious, so doctors and nurses should be aware of it in order to begin treatment as soon as possible. Late detection of extravasation can lead not only to immense damage of the affected area but also, in the worst case, even the inability to administer further cancer treatment. In the article we describe two clinical cases of extravasation and its therapy management. We try to show the economic differences between the use of dexrazoxane and surgery alone.It is obvious that the extravasation is not only a medical problem but it also has great economic impact. Nowadays there are new approaches to the treatment of doxorubicin extravasation, such as use of specific antidote dexrazoxane. The cost of a therapeutic dose of dexrazoxane is still the most negative aspect of the treatment.