Abstract
BackgroundTrastuzumab, a monoclonal antibody which binds to the extracellular domain of HER2, is the first biological drug approved for the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer. However, trastuzumab exhibits a series of adverse reactions in clinic, including cardiac toxicity, nerve damage, mild edema, abnormal liver function, thrombocytopenia, etc.Case presentationWe reported an invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast patient with single dose trastuzumab treatment developed a rare severe edema in patient’s neck, face, chest, abdomen, and both upper limbs. One month after trastuzumab administration, the patient was given methylprednisone (80 mg/day) for 5 days. The edema in patient’s neck, face and both upper limbs was mildly reduced compared with before, but patient’s CT image showed no significant reduction of edema.ConclusionTrastuzumab has an adverse reaction of edema, but this severe edema is extremely rare. It is important to increase awareness of serious adverse reactions among oncologist, and treat such serious adverse reactions at an early stage may reduce further damage.