# A Rare Presentation of Priapism From Pegylated Filgrastim During Treatment of Urothelial Cancer in an African-American Patient With Sickle Cell Trait

**Authors:** Nikhita Kathuria-Prakash, Leland Damron, Sandy C Hernandez, Steven D Hart, Alexandra Drakaki

PMC · DOI: 10.7759/cureus.84492 · 2025-05-20

## TL;DR

A rare case of priapism caused by pegylated filgrastim is reported in an African-American patient with sickle cell trait undergoing cancer treatment.

## Contribution

This is the first reported case of stuttering priapism triggered by pegylated filgrastim in a patient with sickle cell trait.

## Key findings

- Priapism occurred in a patient with urothelial cancer and sickle cell trait during pegylated filgrastim treatment.
- This case highlights a potentially serious complication in a vulnerable population.
- The report raises awareness about the risk of pegylated filgrastim in patients with sickle cell trait.

## Abstract

Priapism is a complication of sickle cell disease resulting in organ-threatening vaso-occlusive crisis and has been reported rarely in patients with sickle cell trait. We report a case of a patient with urothelial carcinoma undergoing chemotherapy and growth factor support with pegylated filgrastim with stuttering priapism triggered by pegylated filgrastim. This is the first case reported, to our knowledge, of stuttering priapism triggered by pegylated filgrastim, and we hope to raise awareness of this potentially organ-threatening complication in this vulnerable population.

## Linked entities

- **Diseases:** urothelial carcinoma (MONDO:0040679), priapism (MONDO:0004745), sickle cell disease (MONDO:0011382)

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** Sickle Cell Trait (MESH:D012805), sickle cell disease (MESH:D000755), Urothelial Cancer (MESH:D014523), vaso-occlusive crisis (MESH:D001157), Priapism (MESH:D011317)
- **Chemicals:** Pegylated Filgrastim (-)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Figures

4 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12178588/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12178588