Chemotherapy-induced Raynaud's phenomenon.
BACKGROUND
Various antineoplastic agents can cause Raynaud's phenomenon, as can malignant diseases themselves.


OBJECTIVE
To review the clinical characteristics of chemotherapy-induced Raynaud's phenomenon and compare them with those of malignancy-associated Raynaud's phenomenon.


CONCLUSIONS
Chemotherapy-induced Raynaud's phenomenon most commonly occurs in patients with testicular cancer who receive bleomycin either as a single agent or as part of a multiple-drug chemotherapeutic regimen. It tends to resolve spontaneously, especially after discontinuation of the inducing antineoplastic agent, and rarely causes significant functional impairment. However, it tends to recur with subsequent administration of the drug. In contrast, malignancy-associated Raynaud's phenomenon is rarer, causes more severe symptoms, and usually occurs in older patients with more advanced cancer.


CONCLUSIONS
As more patients with cancer undergo chemotherapy, physicians should be aware of the potential delayed toxic effects of antineoplastic drugs.
Toumbis-Ioannou
E
E
Department of Dermatology, University of Texas Medical School at Houston 77030.
Cohen
P R
PR
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D011928:Raynaud Disease / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents