Abstract
Longitudinal melanonychia and distal onycholysis associated with 5-fluorouracil/adriamycin/cyclophosphamide chemotherapy for breast cancer
- Department of Oncology, Military Institute of Medicine, Warsaw, Poland
- Department of Dermatology, Military Institute of Medicine, Warsaw, Poland
- Department of Oncology, European Health Center, Otwock, Poland
Introduction
Longitudinal melanonychia presents with pigmented longitudinal streaks of the nail plate. It results from an increased activity of melanocytes or melanocytic hyperplasia in the nail matrix or nail bed and is associated with increased melanin deposition in the nail plate. Distal onycholysis is characterized by separation of the distal part of the nail plate from the nail bed.
Objective
To present a case of longitudinal melanonychia and distal onycholysis associated with 5-fluorouracil/adriamycin/cyclophosphamide chemotherapy.
Case report
A 66-year-old woman, who received 5-fluorouracil/adriamycin/cyclophosphamide for breast cancer developed longitudinal melanonychia and distal onycholysis. After discontinuation of chemotherapy, nail changes improved significantly.
Conclusions
Drug-induced longitudinal melanonychia and distal onycholysis are common adverse effects of breast cancer chemotherapy. This case shows that lesions may resolve after discontinuation of therapy.
Keywords
adriamycin, breast cancer, cyclophosphamide, melanonychia, 5-fluorouracil
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