Gemcitabine-Induced Extensive Skin Necrosis. (26th November 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: D'epiro, Sara; Salvi, Monica; Mattozzi, Carlo; Giancristoforo, Simona; Campoli, Marco; Zanniello, Ramona; Luci, Cecilia; Macaluso, Laura; Giovannoni, Sara; Iacovelli, Roberto; Calvieri, Stefano; Richetta, Antonio Giovanni
• Other Names: Urban Christian Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Case reports in medicine. Volume 2012(2012)
• Publication Date: 2012-11-26
• Subjects: Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine; Case Reports; Periodicals; 610
• DOI: 10.1155/2012/831616
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1687-9627

Abstract

Abstract : An 82-year-old woman presented with oedema and extensive necrotic ulcerative lesions on the back side of her lower limbs, emerging after the second cycle of chemotherapy consisting of Gemcitabine for metastatic pancreatic cancer. The absence of any convincing argument in favor of cardiovascular or autoimmune disease led us to attribute the onset of skin necrosis to chemotherapy administration. Although skin ischemia has also been described as a paraneoplastic syndrome, in this case we could observe a temporal and causal relationship to Gemcitabine infusion. Recently, this drug has been associated with important vascular side effects; its vascular toxicity is in fact higher than previously estimated. To our knowledge, careful attention should be reserved to neoplastic patients candidated to Gemcitabine administration, especially if previously affected by arterial vascular disease, venous thromboembolism, or collagenoses.