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Abstract

Elevation of leukocyte, neutrophil, and procalcitonin (PCT) has been known as a marker of bacterial infection independent of the underlying disease. This article will describe a case of end-stage cancer with persistent elevation of leukocyte, neutrophil, and procalcitonin with no evidence of infection. A 45-year-old female presented with abdominal distension for three months prior to hospital admission. The patient was suspected to have breast cancer with hepatic metastasis based on diagnostic tests. Throughout treatment, the patient experienced persistent elevation of leukocytes, neutrophils, and PCT despite no signs or symptoms of infection from history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests. The patient received antibiotic therapy including ciprofloxacin escalated to meropenem, but leukocytes, neutrophils, and PCT did not decrease. A breast tumor biopsy was performed. The result of biopsy revealed after the patient had passed away. The histopathology was invasive carcinoma, No Special Type (NST) of right breast. The immunohistochemistry showed luminal B type, HER2 positive. The persistent increase in leukocytes and neutrophils in this patient indicates poor prognosis, disease progression, metastasis, and pro-cancer activity of neutrophils. The elevated PCT in this patient may be due to systemic inflammation and/or aberrant secretion from the cancer itself.

Bahasa Abstract

Peningkatan leukosit, neutrofil, dan prokalsitonin (PCT) diketahui sebagai penanda infeksi bakteri terlepas dari penyakit dasar pasien tersebut. Artikel ini melaporkan kasus kanker stadium akhir dimana terjadi peningkatan leukosit, neutrofil, dan PCT persisten tanpa ditemukan bukti infeksi. Seorang perempuan usia 45 tahun memiliki keluhan perut membesar sejak tiga bulan sebelum masuk rumah sakit (SMRS). Pasien diduga memiliki kanker payudara dengan metastasis hepar dari hasil pemeriksaan penunjang. Pasien mengalami peningkatan leukosit, neutrofil, dan PCT persisten selama perawatan meskipun dari anamnesis dan pemeriksaan fisik, serta pemeriksaan penunjang tidak ditemukan tanda dan gejala infeksi. Pasien mendapat terapi antibiotik yaitu siprofloksasin dan kemudian diekskalasi menjadi meropenem, namun leukosit, neutrofil, dan PCT tidak menurun. Pasien kemudian dilakukan biopsi tumor payudara. Hasil biopsi didapatkan setelah pasien meninggal. Hasil menunjukkan suatu karsinoma invasif no special type (NST) mammae kanan. Immunohistokimia menunjukkan tipe luminal B, HER2 positif. Peningkatan leukosit dan neutrofil persisten pada pasien ini menandakan prognosis buruk, progresivitas, metastasis, dan aktivitas prokanker dari neutrofil. Peningkatan PCT pada pasien ini dapat disebabkan oleh inflamasi sistemik dan/atau sekresi aberan dari kanker itu sendiri.

Kata Kunci: Kanker stadium akhir, leukosit, neutrofil, prokalsitonin

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