Gefitinib-induced disseminated intravascular coagulation in a patient with non-small cell lung cancer

In February 2005, Gefitinib （Iressa）, a small-molecular .epidermal growth factor receptor and tyrosine kinaseinhibitor, was approved in China as an anticancer agent for patients with advanced （local or metastatic） non-small cell lung cancer （NSCLC）, who failed prior chemotherapy. The common adverse events of the drug include acne-like skin rash, paronychia, pruritus, diarrhea, nausea/vomiting, anorexia, hepatitis, and hyperbilirubinemia.1 However, these adverse events are generally mild in severity and reversible on cessation of the treatment. Therefore, gefitinib has been regarded as a relatively safe agent,