Bullous dermatosis associated with gemcitabine therapy for non-small-cell lung carcinoma.
Gemcitabine considered is to be a well-tolerated cytostatic drug with little known side effects. Cutaneous reactions are well known but still rarely reported. We report the case of a 75-year-old man with stage IV non-small-cell lung carcinoma treated with combination of gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2 and cisplatin 75 mg/m2 repeated every 28 days, who developed bilateral cutaneous bullous lesions of lower limbs following gemcitabine administration. Histopathologic examination did not show any toxidermy aspect and there was not any sign of immunoglobulin deposit in direct immunofluorescence test. Chemotherapy was stopped and lesions disappeared without any treatment. Even delayed with regard to gemcitabine administration, the causal relationship of gemcitabine treatment with skin reaction is possible according to the Naranjo probability scale. Pathologists should be aware of this kind of side effect in managing chemotherapy drugs and report any dermatologic reactions in order to identify the cause of toxicity and avoid a misdiagnosis.
Imen
Aissa
A
Respiratory Diseases Department, III, Abderrahman-Mami Hospital, 2080 Ariana, Tunisia. imen.aissa@rns.tn
Amal
Khattab
K
Ines
Zendah
Z
Sameh
El Farhati
el F
Fethi
El Mekki
el M
Habib
Ghedira
G
D000368:Aged; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001768:Blister / Q000139:chemically induced*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D003875:Drug Eruptions / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D000093542:Gemcitabine
D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D000093542:Gemcitabine