Retiform purpura, a rare chemoembolization adverse outcome

Area of Science:

• Hepatobiliary cancers
• Interventional oncology
• Dermatology

Background:

• Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is a standard treatment for intermediate-stage unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.
• While generally safe, TACE carries risks, including uncommon adverse events affecting the skin.

Observation:

• A 73-year-old male patient developed necrotic retiform purpura following TACE.
• The condition was caused by doxorubicin microsphere migration occluding cutaneous and subcutaneous microcirculation.

Findings:

• Necrotic retiform purpura is an infrequent complication of TACE, characterized by pain in the affected skin areas.
• Histopathological findings indicate microcirculatory occlusion due to chemoembolization material.

Implications:

• Increased awareness of this rare TACE complication is crucial for timely diagnosis and management.
• Preventive strategies and early intervention can mitigate the severity of skin-related adverse events post-TACE.