C. Desimone et al., MULTIPLE SQUAMOUS-CELL CARCINOMAS OF THE SKIN DURING LONG-TERM TREATMENT WITH HYDROXYUREA, EJD. European journal of dermatology, 8(2), 1998, pp. 114-115
Hydroxyurea is a chemotherapeutic agent used extensively for myeloprol
iferative disorders. Cutaneous side effects have been described during
longterm hydroxyurea treatment. We described the occurrence of multip
le squamous cell skin carcinomas in a patient treated with hydroxyurea
for chronic myelogenous leukemia. The lesions were removed and the he
matological therapy switched to busulfan. In a previously reported cas
e, the development of cutaneous epithelial cancers required the discon
tinuation of hydroxyurea, in addition to the surgical excision of the
neoplastic lesions. Since squamous cell carcinoma is a malignant cutan
eous neoplasm that can metastatize, the surveillance of skin changes i
s advisable during hydroxyurea treatment.