# Recurrent Pleural Effusion in an Elderly Patient With Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Following Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Therapy

**Authors:** Mohammad Abed Alhaleem, Muhammed Hussain, Ahmed Ahmed, Wafa Ahmed, Luxhman Gunaseelan, Andrew Easow

PMC · DOI: 10.7759/cureus.85873 · Cureus · 2025-06-12

## TL;DR

An elderly patient with chronic myeloid leukemia experienced recurrent pleural effusion after tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy, highlighting management challenges in older adults.

## Contribution

This case study emphasizes the difficulties of managing TKI-related adverse effects in elderly CML patients.

## Key findings

- An 83-year-old patient with CML developed pleural effusion after switching from dasatinib to imatinib.
- The case illustrates the impact of TKI adverse effects on elderly patients' health and treatment outcomes.

## Abstract

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a myeloproliferative disorder treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). While TKIs are effective in treating CML, their adverse effects can impact patient management. We present a case of an 83-year-old female diagnosed with CML in August 2024, initially treated with dasatinib but discontinued due to gastrointestinal toxicity. She was later started on imatinib in October 2024. One month later, she presented with progressive weakness and dyspnea, ultimately found to have a large pleural effusion requiring intervention. This case highlights the challenges in managing TKI-related adverse effects, particularly in elderly patients.

## Linked entities

- **Chemicals:** dasatinib (PubChem CID 3062316), imatinib (PubChem CID 5291)
- **Diseases:** chronic myeloid leukemia (MONDO:0011996)

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** TXK (TXK tyrosine kinase) [NCBI Gene 7294] {aka BTKL, PSCTK5, PTK4, RLK, TKL}
- **Diseases:** gastrointestinal toxicity (MESH:D005767), weakness (MESH:D018908), dyspnea (MESH:D004417), Pleural Effusion (MESH:D010996), myeloproliferative disorder (MESH:D009196), CML (MESH:D015464)
- **Chemicals:** imatinib (MESH:D000068877), dasatinib (MESH:D000069439)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Full text

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## Figures

2 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12255514/full.md

## References

10 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12255514/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12255514