Cancer drug led to death of mum
A MOTHER suffering lung cancer died after she developed a 'previously unknown' complication – weeks after being prescribed a drug which was intended to extend her life, a Sheffield inquest heard.
An inquest heard that Valerie Marks, aged 65, from Ashdale Road, Broomhill, died from liver failure partly caused by the use of Tarceva medication.
The inquest heard that although there have been a small number of deaths connected to the drug worldwide, none had involved lung cancer patients, so doctors treating her at Weston Park Hospital, in Sheffield, had no way of knowing there was any risk.
Since Mrs Marks' death, the hospital has changed procedures and doctors now plan to alert colleagues elsewhere who are working with lung cancer patients to the potential risk.
Dr Patricia Fisher, consultant clinical oncologist at Weston Park Hospital, treated Mrs Marks who had incurable cancer from July 2008.
She said the mother-of-one had a normally-functioning liver before having Tarceva in February this year.
Weeks later, in March, Mrs Marks became very unwell, was admitted to Weston Park Hospital with sickness and tests showed she had suffered liver damage.
Doctors suspected it was due to the use of Tarceva and the drug was immediately stopped. Mrs Marks died on March 27.
Coroner David Urpeth asked Dr Fisher: "Were there any known previous problems with the drug in causing liver problems?"
She replied: "No".
Dr Julian Burton, clinical lecturer in histopathology, who carried out the post-mortem examination, said the cause of death was due to liver failure caused by Tarceva, as well as her having non-small cell lung cancer and Hepatitis E virus.
He said the drug was intended to extend Mrs Marks' life and said: "Had she not been treated for lung cancer it is likely she would have died from it at a later date."
In a narrative verdict, assistant deputy coroner David Urpeth, said: " Mrs Marks died of liver failure partly caused by use of the drug Tarceva."
He said this complication was previously unknown to lung cancer sufferers.
Mr Urpeth said he supported professionals in wanting to make others aware of the case, so that similar problems could be avoided in the future.
But he added: "Her loss must have been very distressing and it is clear to me that the hospital did all they could for her."
During the inquest Mrs Mark's daughter Lucy Close, 35, from Bedfordshire, thanked Dr Fisher for her excellent care.
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Wednesday 08 February 2012
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