Hydroxyurea induced-Leg ulcer in polycythemia vera

##plugins.themes.academic_pro.article.sidebar##

Published Mar 4, 2011
Download
pdf
Vol. 89 No. 3 (2011): Issue Mar 2011

##plugins.themes.academic_pro.article.main##

Aida Khaled
Nadia El Guellali
Lamia Aïssaoui
Feriel Robbana
Hôpital Charles Nicolle de Tunis
Nadia Ezzine
Becima Fazaa
Hôpital Charles Nicolle de Tunis
Mohamed Ridha Kamoun

Abstract

Background : Hydroxyurea (HU) is an antineoplastic drug commonly used to treat chronic myeloproliferative disorders.
Dermatological side effects are frequent and usually benign. Leg ulceration following HU therapy is less common.
Aim : To describe epidemioclinical and therapeutic features of leg ulcers induced by HU.
Case report: A 70-year-old woman is treated with hydroxyurea for polycythemia vera. One year later; she presented with a malleolar painful ulcer, initially healed without discontinuation of the treatment, but has been recurred 2 months later, becoming multiple and bilateral. HU has been discontinued and ulcers were completely cured.
Conclusion: Leg ulcers induced by hydroxyurea are rare.
Pathogenesis of HU-induced ulcers remains unknown and is multi factorial. Discontinuation of treatment is still the option of choice for complete recovery.

Keywords:

Leg ulcer, Hydroxyurea, myeloproliferative disorder

##plugins.themes.academic_pro.article.details##

References

  1. E Ruzzon, ML Randi, F Tezza, G Luzzato, R Scandellari, F Fabris. Leg ulcers in elderly on hydroxyurea: a single center experience in ph- myeloproliferative disorders and review of literature. Aging Clin Exp Res 2006; 8: 187-90.
  2. K Saravu, P Velappan, N Lakshmi, B Ananthakrishna Shastry, J Thomas. Hydroxyurea induced perimalleolar ulcers. J Korean Med Sci 2006; 21: 177-9.
  3. J Dissemond, D Hoeft, J Knab, T Franckson, K Kroger, M Goos. Leg ulcer in a patient associated with hydroxyurea therapy. Int J Dermatol 2006; 45:158-60.
  4. A Bravo, JL Saster, S Tembras, R Gomez, C Ulibarrena, MO Vasquez. Hydroxurea-induced skin ulcerations in patients with chronic myeloproliferative disorders. J hematother Stem Cell Res 2003; 12: 461-3.
  5. JL Sastre, A Bravo, S Tembrás, R Gómez, C Ulibarrena. Leg ulcers associated with hydroxyurea therapy. Hematologica. 2003; 88: EIM01
  6. V. Salmon-Ehrl, G. Leborgnel, J.P. Vilque, G. Potronj, P. Bernard. Effets secondaires cutanés de l'hydroxyurée : étude prospective de 26 patients consultant dans un service de dermatologie. Rev Med Interne 2000; 21: 30-4.
  7. Z Demiçay, A C.mert, C Adiguzel. Leg ulcers and hydroxyurea: report of three cases with essential thrombocythemia. Int J Dermatol 2002; 41: 872-74.
  8. K Wirth, E Schoepf, R Mertelsmann, A Lindemann. Leg ulcers in patients treated with hydroxyurea for myeloproliferative disorders; what is the trigger? Br J Dermatol 1999;141: 154-79.
  9. ME Sirieix, C. Debure, N. Baudot, et al. Leg Ulcers and Hydroxyurea. Arch Dermatol.1999 ; 135 :818-20
  10. I Hanchi, F Zeglaoui, N Ezzine, et al. Ulcère de jambe chez une malade traitée par hydroxyurée pour maladie de Vaquez. Press Med 2006; 35: 7-8.
  11. F Flores, WA Eaglstein, R S. Kirsner. Hydroxyurea-induced leg ulcers treated with Apligraf. Ann Intern Med 2000; 132: 417-8.