Onycholysis and subungual haemorrhages secondary to systemic chemotherapy (paclitaxel).
Paclitaxel is a chemotherapic agent of the taxane family used in treatment of malignant solid tumory. We report here the case of a 40-year old woman referred to our clinic for nail changes involving all 20 digits and developed after 5 months of paclitaxel intake, due to a breast carcinoma. Clinical examination revealed red-brown discoloration of the nails associated with hematomas and onycholysis. The nail changes were very painful and the patient complained of discharge of bad-smelling yellow brown opaque fluid from underneath the nail plate. Hemorrhagic onycholysis and subungual abscesses are a possible side effect of taxane treatment that should be early recognized to prevent serious complications.
Ghetti
E
E
Department of Dermatology, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 1, 40138 Bologna, Italy.
Piraccini
B M
BM
Tosti
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D009260:Nail Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009262:Nails / Q000187:drug effects; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018570:Risk Assessment
D017239:Paclitaxel