Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Nerve Excitability Assessment in Chemotherapy-induced Neurotoxicity
Published on: April 26, 2012
Brain radiotherapy during treatment with anticonvulsant therapy as a trigger for toxic epidermal necrolysis
Giulio Metro1, Simona Pino, Domenica Pellegrini
1Department of Medical Oncology, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy.
Abstract:
Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is a severe mucocutaneous syndrome that can be occasionally caused by anticonvulsant drugs. In some cases, cranial irradiation may act as a precipitating factor. Thus, in cancer patients who suffer from brain metastases and are administered antiepileptic drugs for seizure prophylaxis, the risk of developing TEN after receiving palliative brain radiotherapy cannot be ignored. We is reported. The case of a young patient with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with prophylactic phenobarbital who developed TEN within a few days of completing cranial radiotherapy for brain metastases is reported. To minimize the risk of TEN in patients undergoing brain radiotherapy, prophylactic anticonvulsant therapy is recommended only after an accurate measurement of the true benefits. Alternatively, discontinuation of antiepileptic treatment before the initiation of brain radiotherapy, or the use of anticonvulsants associated with a lower risk of developing cutaneous reactions might be considered.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Electroconvulsive Therapy
Antiepileptic Drugs: Potassium Channel Activators
Ezogabine has gained approval as an adjunctive treatment...
Antiepileptic Drugs: Modulators of Neurotransmitter Release Mediated by SV2A Protein
SV2A is a transmembrane glycoprotein located predominantly in the brain, modulating the release of neurotransmitters for neuronal communication. Both levetiracetam and brivaracetam exhibit a high affinity for...
Drug Toxicity: Risk factors
Antiepileptic Drugs: Glutamate Antagonists
Drug Toxicity: Overview

