title: Scleroderma in association with the use of bleomycin: a report of 3 cases.
abstract: Although an association between exposure to bleomycin and the development of scleroderma has been suspected, few cases are reported. We describe the development of cutaneous scleroderma in 3 patients coincident with the use of bleomycin in low cumulative doses of less than 100 U. Dramatic clinical improvement occurred in 2 patients treated with high dose steroids. Our series of 3 patients supports a causal connection between bleomycin and scleroderma. In light of the widespread use of bleomycin, this complication may be under-appreciated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY 10029.
authors.forename: L D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Kerr
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Spiera
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001761:Bleomycin / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008479:Mediastinal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000139:chemically induced*
chemical_list: D001761:Bleomycin