title: Essential Thrombocythemia: The Dermatologic Point of View.
abstract: Essential thrombocythemia (ET) is a myeloproliferative neoplasm characterized by an increase in blood platelets and dominated by a predisposition to vascular events. Cutaneous manifestations can complicate its course. itching has been the most common symptom reported; however, the percentage has ranged from 3% to 46%, depending on the survey. Erythromelalgia is found in 6% of cases, and livedo reticularis, minor bleeding, acrocyanosis, and Raynaud's phenomenon are rare manifestations. It is important to recognize and treat these events, because they can affect patients' quality of life and could worsen the prognosis. In addition to skin involvement as a possible sign of ET, the treatment of ET can be associated with cutaneous complications. Hydroxycarbamide, interferon-alfa, and anagrelide can induce different skin lesions. Hydroxycarbamide has been associated with major complications, including painful leg ulcers and actinic keratoses. Minor events include alopecia and hyperpigmentation. Xerosis, pruritus, and photosensitivity are some of the complications reported by patients treated with interferon-alfa. Anagrelide has proved to be associated with fewer dermatologic effects, only detected in single cases. Knowledge of the ET cutaneous manifestations, together with the clinical examination findings, can result in an earlier diagnosis and the start of effective treatment.
authors.affiliation: Di. S. Sal. Section of Dermatology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria, San Martino-IST, Genoa, Italy. Electronic address: emanuele.cozzani@unige.it.
authors.forename: Emanuele
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cozzani
authors.affiliation: Oncohematology Division, Oncohematology Unit of the Elderly, IRCCS Ca' Granda Maggiore Policlinico Hospital Foundation, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Iurlo
authors.affiliation: Di. S. Sal. Section of Dermatology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria, San Martino-IST, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Merlo
authors.affiliation: Oncohematology Division, IRCCS Ca' Granda Maggiore Policlinico Hospital Foundation, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cattaneo
authors.affiliation: Di. S. Sal. Section of Dermatology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria, San Martino-IST, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Burlando
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology and Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Martino-IST, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Ivana
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Pierri
authors.affiliation: Institute of Hematology "L. e A. Seragnoli", S. Orsola Malpighi University Hospital, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gugliotta
authors.affiliation: Di. S. Sal. Section of Dermatology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria, San Martino-IST, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Aurora
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Parodi
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D006918:Hydroxyurea / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D013920:Thrombocythemia, Essential / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011799:Quinazolines; C021139:anagrelide; D006918:Hydroxyurea
keywords: Anagrelide; Dermatologic manifestations; ET; Hydroxycarbamide; Interferon-alfa