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Eyelashes Trichomegaly: An Unusual Side Effect of Gefitinib Therapy

Chaturbhuj R Agrawal1, Pankaj Goyal1, Dinesh Chandra Doval1

  • 1Department of Medical Oncology, Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre, New Delhi, India.

International Journal of Trichology
|February 15, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors, like gefitinib, are advancing cancer therapy but can cause side effects. This case highlights trichomegaly, or eyelash growth, as a rare, incidental side effect in lung cancer patients.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology
  • Dermatology

Background:

  • Targeted therapies, particularly epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors, have significantly advanced cancer treatment over the past two decades.
  • These agents are utilized across various malignancies, including lung, head and neck, and gastrointestinal cancers.

Observation:

  • Common side effects of EGFR inhibitors include diarrhea, fatigue, skin rashes, and liver function abnormalities, often necessitating treatment adjustments.
  • Trichomegaly, characterized by abnormal eyelash growth, is a rare and often incidentally observed side effect associated with these therapies.
  • This report details a case of trichomegaly in a patient undergoing treatment for metastatic lung carcinoma.

Findings:

  • A 52-year-old female patient with metastatic lung carcinoma developed significant eyelash growth (trichomegaly) during gefitinib therapy.
  • The observed trichomegaly did not necessitate dose modification or interruption of gefitinib treatment.
  • This finding suggests trichomegaly can be an incidental, non-debilitating side effect of EGFR inhibitor therapy.

Implications:

  • The occurrence of trichomegaly highlights the diverse and sometimes unexpected side effect profile of targeted cancer therapies.
  • Recognizing rare side effects like trichomegaly is crucial for comprehensive patient monitoring and management in oncology.
  • Further investigation may elucidate the precise mechanisms underlying EGFR inhibitor-induced trichomegaly and its clinical significance.
Keywords:
Antiepidermal growth factor receptor therapygefitinibtrichomegaly

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