title: Chemotherapy-Related Reticulate Hyperpigmentation: A Case Series and Review of the Literature.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Inherited or acquired reticulate hyperpigmentation represents a heterogeneous group of infrequent dermatological conditions. The development of reticulate hyperpigmentation has so far been rarely reported to be associated with chemotherapeutic agents, including fluorouracil, bleomycin or a combination of cytarabine and idarubicin.
  
  
  METHODS
  We describe 5 cases of chemotherapy-related reticulate hyperpigmentation in patients treated with different chemotherapeutic regimens, in particular paclitaxel or cytarabine. The lesions were similar in all cases, with reticulate and/or linear hyperpigmented streaks, which were mainly located to the back and buttocks. Histology showed increased melanogenesis, which suggests a direct toxic effect of chemotherapy on melanocytes. Reflectance confocal microscopy was performed in 2 patients showing a similar pattern, with an increased amount of melanin in basal keratinocytes. These features have been compared with the available data through a literature review.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Reticulate hyperpigmentation is an underestimated but characteristic complication of chemotherapy. Neither specific management nor discontinuation of the chemotherapeutic regimen is required.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Institut Claudius Regaud, Institut Universitaire du Cancer, Toulouse Oncopole, Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Masson Regnault
authors.forename: Noémie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gadaud
authors.forename: Serge
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Boulinguez
authors.forename: Emilie
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tournier
authors.forename: Laurence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lamant
authors.forename: Laurence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gladieff
authors.forename: Henri
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Roche
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Guenounou
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Recher
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sibaud
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000009:adverse effects; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000009:adverse effects; D003561:Cytarabine / Q000009:adverse effects; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000009:adverse effects; D003875:Drug Eruptions / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017495:Hyperpigmentation / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D015255:Idarubicin / Q000009:adverse effects; D008130:Lomustine / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000009:adverse effects; D014750:Vincristine / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D003561:Cytarabine; D014750:Vincristine; D008130:Lomustine; D003907:Dexamethasone; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D016190:Carboplatin; D017239:Paclitaxel; D015255:Idarubicin