Re-activation of the hepatitis B virus is very unusual, but has been described as a complication of chemotherapy. Most reported cases are related to haematological malignancies and, occasionally, to solid tumours.
We report a case of hepatitis B virus re-activation resulting in fulminant hepatitis in a patient with non-small-cell lung cancer following chemotherapy with cisplatin and gemcitabine.
Risk-factors associated with the re-activation were gender, age and the administration of cortico-steroids.
During chemotherapy administered to patients with a history of chronic hepatitis B, care must be taken to avoid the administration of cortico-steroids as anti-emetics, and to monitor the patient's transaminase concentrations.