DERMAL INFILTRATE OF ENLARGED MACROPHAGES IN PATIENTS RECEIVING CHEMOTHERAPY

A histologically distinct maculopapular eruption has been associated w ith the use of recombinant forms of granulocyte and granulocyte-macrop hage colony-stimulating factors (GCSF and GMCSF). One of the most dist inctive features was an increase in the number and the size of dermal macrophages, which was proposed as a clue to diagnosis of these cytoki ne-induced dermatoses. We describe 8 patients who received chemotherap y and who developed a maculopapular eruption, of which histological ex amination showed an increase in the number and the size of dermal macr ophages. Three patients had also received GM-CSF or GCSF, before the o nset of rash, but 5 patients had not. In conclusion, an increase in th e number and the size of dermal macrophages is not specific for the re action to GM-CSF or G-CSF, and may also be observed in patients receiv ing chemotherapy.