Flare-up of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin following fludarabine therapy for chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
We present a 72-year-old patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). About a year following therapy with chlorambucil and prednisone, he suffered from anemia, thrombocytopenia and organomegaly. The patient received fludarabine with a favorable response. Concomitantly with the clinical improvement of the CLL there was a remarkable flare-up of scalp squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) lesions, initially noted 4 years previously. The lesions were multiple and grew rapidly. Fludarabine depresses the T lymphocyte population, cells that play a pivotal role in the regression of the SCC. We suggest, that the flare-up and exacerbation of the SCC lesions of the patient were triggered by the fludarabine therapy.
Davidovitz
Y
Y
Department of Hematology, E. Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel.
Ballin
A
A
Meytes
D
D
D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D014740:Vidarabine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D014740:Vidarabine; C024352:fludarabine