Non-Vitamin K oral anticoagulant treatment – behind the mask there is a story

Abstract

Pelvic radiation disease is a term related to complications developed after radiotherapy used for pelvic cancers. Symptomatology can be overt, dull or even absent depending on variable factors. We present the case of a 78-year-old female patient with a declared post-partum hysterectomy, known cardiovascular disease, and fatigue and dizziness as main symptoms. She was diagnosed with pelvic radiation disease only after the symptoms were triggered by a non-vitamin K anticoagulant treatment and carefully reassessed anamnesis. Despite it being a predictable condition in patients receiving pelvic radiation, the disease is underdiagnosed, clinicians often overlooking the scale of the problem by treating the symptoms or by focusing on a small fraction of the disease within their medical branch. The case presented displays the value of shifted focus from survivorship to life quality and the importance of patient-tailored management. Sometimes, complementary therapy uncovers a masked illness which can initially be a real challenge but early diagnosis can lead to a satisfactory medical outcome.