Etretinate as an effective adjunctive therapy for recalcitrant palmar/plantar hyperkeratosis in patients with erythrodermic cutaneous T cell lymphoma undergoing photopheresis.
BACKGROUND
Patients with erythrodermic cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL) frequently have debilitating hyperkeratosis of the palms and soles that is refractory to therapy.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of etretinate as an adjunctive therapy for recalcitrant palmar and plantar hyperkeratosis in erythrodermic CTCL patients undergoing photopheresis.


METHODS
Five patients with erythrodermic CTCL and recalcitrant palmar and plantar hyperkeratosis were given etretinate (0.8 mg/kg per day) while undergoing photopheresis therapy.


RESULTS
There was a rapid and marked improvement of the hyperkeratosis in all patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Etretinate is a safe and effective adjunctive treatment for recalcitrant palmar and plantar hyperkeratosis in erythrodermic CTCL patients undergoing photopheresis.
Lim
H W
HW
Dermatology Service, New York VA Medical Center, NY 10010, USA.
Harris
H R
HR
D000368:Aged; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D003873:Dermatitis, Exfoliative / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005050:Etretinate / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007645:Keratoderma, Palmoplantar / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016410:Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017893:Photopheresis; D012074:Remission Induction; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*
D005050:Etretinate