J Rheum Dis.  2013 Oct;20(5):323-327. 10.4078/jrd.2013.20.5.323.

A Case of Scleroderma-like Cutaneous Lesions Induced by Docetaxel in a Patient with Breast Cancer

• Byun JS
• Kang SH
• Lee MJ
• Kim SY
• Choi HG
• Lee HR

• KMID: 2223010
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4078/jrd.2013.20.5.323

Abstract

Docetaxel, an anti-microtubule agent, has been reported to show cytotoxic effects in solid tumors. Its toxicities also include neutropenia, alopecia, skin reaction, and fluid retention. In this study, we report on a case of a 57-year-old Korean female who presented with rapidly progressive scleroderma-like cutaneous changes in the upper and lower extremities after administration of docetaxel. Results of the following tests were normal or negative: full blood count, serum urea, creatinine, electrolytes, liver function test, thyroid function test, rheumatoid factor, anti-nuclear antibody, and anti-topoisomerase antibody. No structural abnormalities were noted on esophagogastroduodenoscopy, chest computed tomography, and Doppler ultrasonography. A biopsy of skin from the left calf showed dermal sclerosis. There was no other explanation for the lesion, except a scleroderma-like cutaneous change induced by docetaxel in this Korean female undergoing treatment for breast cancer.

Keyword

Scleroderma-like cutaneous lesion; Docetaxel; Skin lesion

MeSH Terms

Alopecia
Biopsy
Breast Neoplasms*
Breast*
Creatinine
Electrolytes
Endoscopy, Digestive System
Female
Humans
Liver Function Tests
Lower Extremity
Middle Aged
Neutropenia
Rheumatoid Factor
Sclerosis
Skin
Taxoids
Thorax
Thyroid Function Tests
Ultrasonography, Doppler
Urea
Creatinine
Electrolytes
Rheumatoid Factor
Taxoids
Urea

Figure

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  Figure 1. Thickened and harde-ned skin with edema on both hands (A), feet (B), and the left lower extremity (C).

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  Figure 2. The biopsy was taken from the skin of the left calf. The skin biopsy section shows diffuse dermal sclerosis with discretely thickened collagen bundles in the dermis (hematoxylin-eosin stain; original magnification: (A) ×40 (B) ×200).

Reference

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