Docetaxel-induced histologic changes in the lacrimal sac and the nasal mucosa.
OBJECTIVE
To identify histopathologic changes in the lacrimal sac and the nasal mucosa caused by docetaxel in 3 patients with canalicular narrowing and nasolacrimal duct obstruction.


METHODS
Small case series. Lacrimal sac and nasal mucosal specimens were obtained at the time of dacryocystorhinostomy or during silicone intubation to correct epiphora in 3 patients receiving docetaxel. Histologic evaluation was performed.


RESULTS
Extensive fibrotic changes in the stroma of the lacrimal sac and the nasal mucosa were the prominent histologic features in all 3 patients. A biopsy specimen was taken from the lower portion of the nasal mucosa (near the inferior turbinate) in one patient at the time of silicone intubation and showed both clinical and histologic evidence of keratinization with marked epidermalization of the surface epithelium, thickening, and parakeratosis of the squamous epithelium.


CONCLUSIONS
Nasolacrimal duct obstruction secondary to treatment with docetaxel may be in part due to stromal fibrosis in the mucosal lining of the lacrimal drainage apparatus.
Esmaeli
Bita
B
Department of Plastic Surgery, the University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030-4009, USA.
Burnstine
Michael A
MA
Ahmadi
M Amir
MA
Prieto
Victor G
VG
D000368:Aged; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D003608:Dacryocystorhinostomy; D000077143:Docetaxel; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007440:Intubation; D007765:Lacrimal Apparatus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D007767:Lacrimal Duct Obstruction / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D012826:Silicone Elastomers; D043823:Taxoids
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D012826:Silicone Elastomers; D043823:Taxoids; D000077143:Docetaxel; D017239:Paclitaxel