Case report of cold-weather-induced radiation recall dermatitis after chemoradiotherapy with cisplatin.
BACKGROUND
The radiation recall reaction (RRR) is an inflammatory reaction that occurs in previously irradiated areas. The phenomenon is probably due to an idiosyncratic hypersensitivity reaction, in which a second agent can recall the inflammatory reaction.


METHODS
This case report documents a cold-weather-induced radiation recall dermatitis (RRD). We observed a severe RRD in a patient after chemoradiotherapy treatment with cisplatin for a nasopharyngeal carcinoma, precipitated by cold temperatures, which developed 9 days after completion of therapy. In the medical literature, RRD following extreme cold temperatures seems to be a peculiar event.


CONCLUSIONS
Until further information on the interaction is available, future studies on combined chemotherapy with cisplatin should be carefully monitored and any side effects clearly documented. This case suggests that environmental conditions may play a contributing role in the development of RRD. This case also implies that neither fraction size nor total radiation dose is a determining factor in the development of the dermatologic reaction.
Department of Radiation Oncology, AZ Groeninge Hospital, Loofstraat 43, 8500, Kortrijk, Belgium, Isabelle.kindts@azgroeninge.be.
Isabelle
I
Kindts
Karin
K
Stellamans
Michiel
M
Bonny
Nikie
N
Planckaert
Laurence
L
Goethals
D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002090:Butyrophenones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D059248:Chemoradiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003080:Cold Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010880:Piperidines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011855:Radiodermatitis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D002090:Butyrophenones; D010880:Piperidines; D002945:Cisplatin; C058249:ebastine; D008775:Methylprednisolone