Onycholysis associated with capecitabine in patients with breast cancer.
BACKGROUND
Onycholysis, which is separation of the nail plate from the nail bed at its distal and lateral attachments, can cause pain and impair function and is a well-known side effect of traditional chemotherapeutic agents.


OBJECTIVE
We present two cases of onycholysis associated with capecitabine in women with advanced breast cancer, who were initially referred for evaluation of onychomycosis and review the literature on capecitabine.


CONCLUSIONS
Owing to the increased frequency of use of capecitabine for different cancers, physicians should be aware of this side effect.
Hogeling
Marcia
M
Division of Dermatology, University of Ottawa, ON. hogelingm@yahoo.ca
Howard
Jessica
J
Kanigsberg
Nordau
N
Finkelstein
Harvey
H
D000368:Aged; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D000069287:Capecitabine; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D009262:Nails; D054039:Onycholysis / Q000139:chemically induced*
D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D000069287:Capecitabine; D005472:Fluorouracil