Korean J Dermatol.  2013 Jan;51(1):45-48.

Cicatricial Alopecia Caused by the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Inhibitor, Gefitinib

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Dermatology, Kyung Hee University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. bellotte@hanmail.net

Abstract

Epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors (EGFRIs) are new anticancer agents that act by inhibiting EGFR signaling transduction pathways, thus decreasing tumor growth. They have made anti-cancer treatment more tolerable and have also reduced systemic side effects. However, they have many cutaneous side effects. Alopecia is an uncommon cutaneous side effect of EGFRIs, and cicatricial alopecia has been reported more rarely. A 59-year-old woman presented with itching and hair loss on the scalp, which started 2 months ago. She had been taking gefitinib for 7 months. A physical examination revealed localized erythematous hairless patches with scattered thick crusts on the scalp. Histopathologic examination showed a decreased number of hair follicles with perifollicular lymphocytes infiltration and perifollicular fibrosis, consistent with a scarring alopecia. We report a rare and interesting case of cicatricial alopecia after using the EGFRI, gefitinib.

Keyword

Cicatricial alopecia; Epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors; Gefitinib

MeSH Terms

Alopecia
Antineoplastic Agents
Cicatrix
Epidermal Growth Factor
Female
Fibrosis
Hair
Hair Follicle
Humans
Lymphocytes
Physical Examination
Pruritus
Quinazolines
Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor
Scalp
Antineoplastic Agents
Epidermal Growth Factor
Quinazolines
Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor
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