A Case of Actinomycosis in a Patient Treated with Chemotherapy Due to Recurrent Pancreatic Cancer / 대한내과학회지

ABSTRACT

A 46-year-old male patient with recurrent pancreatic cancer was admitted with a newly developed abdominal mass. The patient had a history of diabetes and underwent total pancreatectomy with partial gastrectomy followed by adjuvant concurrent chemoradiation therapy and palliative chemotherapy. Abdominal CT scan during palliative chemotherapy showed an abdominal wall mass. We performed excisional biopsy for diagnosis. Histological examination revealed actinomycosis of the abdominal wall. The patient was treated with penicillin G. This case showed that actinomycosis can occur in a patient receiving chemotherapy and may mimic cancer recurrence. Therefore, when evaluating a newly developed abdominal mass in patients who are receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy, the probability of actinomycotic infection must also be considered, especially in patients with a history of surgery and diabetes mellitus.