Gefitinib leads to complete resolution of postoperative cervical chyloma and chylothorax in a lung cancer patient.

• DOI: 10.1700/1491.16435
• Publication Date: 2014-05-24
• Authors: Chia‐Luen Huang; Hung Chang; Jih‐Chin Lee; Ming‐Shen Dai
• Keywords: Chylothorax; Supraclavicular lymph nodes; Chyle

Cervical chyloma is a not uncommon complication after neck surgery, especially following diagnostic excision of supraclavicular lymph nodes. Conservative treatment remains the standard approach but inevitably distressful. We describe case 60-year-old Asian woman who was diagnosed as having adenocarcinoma lung with cervical and node involvement. She developed persistent chyle leak excisional biopsy nodes proved refractory to all management. Subsequent gefitinib therapy led rapid resolution tumor regression. This provided unique experience managing intractable postoperative in cancer patient.