CYCLOPHOSPHAMIDE IN THE TREATMENT OF TOXIC EPIDERMAL NECROLYSIS

A patient with non-small cell lung carcinoma and recent radiotherapy f or brain metastases developed toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) shortly after therapy with phenytoin was initiated for a seizure. Exfoliation progressed to involve 90% of her body surface despite treatment with high-dose corticosteroids for 5 days, but sloughing and systemic toxic ity ceased within 2 days of initiating therapy with intravenous cyclop hosphamide (300 mg/day). Reepithelialization rapidly followed, This ex perience and the reports of others suggest that intravenous cyclophosp hamide is helpful in the treatment of TEN.