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Published on: June 22, 2012
[A lower-leg ulcer during hydroxyurea therapy for essential thrombocythemia]
H Iwama1, K Kawakubo, Y Nehashi
1First Dept. of Internal Medicine, Tokyo Medical College, Japan.
Gan to Kagaku Ryoho. Cancer & Chemotherapy
|June 1, 1996
Summary
Hydroxyurea, a treatment for essential thrombocythemia, can cause skin ulcers. This case highlights the potential side effect, leading to a reduced hydroxyurea dosage for the patient.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Hematology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Essential thrombocythemia is a myeloproliferative neoplasm.
- Hydroxyurea is a common treatment for essential thrombocythemia.
- Skin ulcers are a known, though infrequent, complication of hydroxyurea therapy.
Observation:
- A 61-year-old male patient on hydroxyurea for essential thrombocythemia developed a lateral malleolus skin ulcer.
- Biopsied tissue showed no evidence of vasculitis or thrombi.
- The ulcer necessitated a skin graft procedure.
Findings:
- The development of the skin ulcer was strongly suspected to be an adverse effect of hydroxyurea treatment.
- The patient's hydroxyurea dosage was subsequently reduced.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of monitoring for cutaneous side effects in patients receiving hydroxyurea.
- Physicians should consider hydroxyurea-induced skin ulcers in the differential diagnosis for leg ulcers in relevant patients.
- Dose adjustment of hydroxyurea may be necessary to manage or prevent such complications.
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