title: Leg ulcer in a patient associated with hydroxyurea therapy.
abstract: Hydroxyurea is a hydroxylated derivate of urea commonly used in the treatment of various hematologic disorders. Cutaneous side-effects such as alopecia, diffuse hyperpigmentation, scaling, poikiloderma, atrophy of the skin and subcutaneous tissues or nail changes can develop after long-term treatment with hydroxyurea. Painful leg ulcers in association with hydroxyurea have only rarely been reported. We present a report of a 52-year-old patient with essential thrombocythemia suffering from painful leg ulcers 3 years after starting therapy with hydroxyurea. We decided to treat the leg ulcers following a modern phase-adapted wound-healing strategy and continued hydroxyurea therapy until complete healing of the ulcers. In conclusion, cutaneous ulceration of the leg is one adverse effect in patients with essential thrombocythemia during hydroxyurea therapy. Healing does not necessarily require discontinuation of the drug. Therefore, therapists should first optimize a conservative and systematic wound-healing strategy. If these interventions fail, discontinuation of hydroxyurea therapy is advisable.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University School of Medicine, Essen, Germany. joachimdissemond@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Joachim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dissemond
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hoeft
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Knab
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Franckson
authors.forename: Knut
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kroger
authors.forename: Manfred
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Goos
mesh_terms: D000464:Alginates; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001458:Bandages; D001645:Biguanides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003646:Debridement; D020723:Glucuronic Acid; D006603:Hexuronic Acids; D006801:Humans; D006918:Hydroxyurea / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007552:Isotonic Solutions / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007871:Leg Ulcer / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000077331:Ringer's Solution; D017592:Skin Care; D013920:Thrombocythemia, Essential / Q000188:drug therapy; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy; D014945:Wound Healing
chemical_list: D000464:Alginates; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001645:Biguanides; D006603:Hexuronic Acids; D007552:Isotonic Solutions; C031233:polihexanide; D000077331:Ringer's Solution; D020723:Glucuronic Acid; D006918:Hydroxyurea