title: Docetaxel-induced acral erythema and nail changes distributed to photoexposed areas.
abstract: Docetaxel is a semisynthetic taxane used in the treatment of several malignancies. A 60-year-old male patient suffering from a non-small cell lung cancer with bone metastasis was under treatment with docetaxel and developed acral erythema involving photoexposed areas. Onycholysis and melanonychia were also observed. Drug-induced acral erythema usually involves the palms and soles, but it may occur in more atypical areas such as the backs of the hands and feet and also the face, as occurred in this patient. The nail changes are usually observed after several cycles of docetaxel, but tend to resolve gradually over several weeks despite continued treatment. Early recognition of skin and nail changes in the setting of docetaxel treatment, especially with an unusual presentation, is of paramount importance not only for patient reassurance, but also to avoid unnecessary withdrawal of drug treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Hospital de São João EPE, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Olga
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Baudrier
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mota
authors.forename: Ana Filipa
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Duarte
authors.forename: Filomena
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Azevedo
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000556:secondary; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000556:secondary; D000077143:Docetaxel; D004890:Erythema / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D005148:Facial Dermatoses / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D005534:Foot Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D006229:Hand Dermatoses / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009262:Nails / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D054039:Onycholysis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology; D043823:Taxoids / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D043823:Taxoids; D000077143:Docetaxel