MULTIPLE SQUAMOUS-CELL CARCINOMAS OF THE SKIN DURING LONG-TERM TREATMENT WITH HYDROXYUREA

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.