Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor associated arteritis in a patient with castration-resistant prostate cancer

Introduction: Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor-associated arteritis is a rare adverse event of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, with an incidence of 0.47% among all patients who receive granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. We herein present a case of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor-associated arteritis.

Case presentation: A 72-year-old man with castration-resistant prostate cancer and multiple bone metastases was treated with docetaxel and pegfilgrastim. He developed a high fever on day 12 without other symptoms. His white blood cell count and C-reactive protein levels were high. Antibiotic therapy was ineffective, and contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed thickened subclavian and brachiocephalic artery walls. He was diagnosed with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor-associated arteritis.

Conclusion: When patients receiving chemotherapy with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor develop an unexplained fever, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor associated arteritis should be considered.