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Chemotherapy-induced Raynaud's phenomenon
1Department of Dermatology, University of Texas Medical School at Houston 77030.
Background:
Various antineoplastic agents can cause Raynaud's phenomenon, as can malignant diseases themselves.
Objective:
To review the clinical characteristics of chemotherapy-induced Raynaud's phenomenon and compare them with those of malignancy-associated Raynaud's phenomenon.
Summary:
Chemotherapy-induced Raynaud's phenomenon most commonly occurs in patients with testicular cancer who receive bleomycin either as a single agent or as part of a multiple-drug chemotherapeutic regimen. It tends to resolve spontaneously, especially after discontinuation of the inducing antineoplastic agent, and rarely causes significant functional impairment. However, it tends to recur with subsequent administration of the drug. In contrast, malignancy-associated Raynaud's phenomenon is rarer, causes more severe symptoms, and usually occurs in older patients with more advanced cancer.
Conclusions:
As more patients with cancer undergo chemotherapy, physicians should be aware of the potential delayed toxic effects of antineoplastic drugs.