Rueda RA, Valencia IC, Covelli C, Escobar C, Alzate A, Saldarriaga B, Sanclemente G, Blank A, Falabella R, et al.
Archives of dermatology. Date of publication 1999 Jul 1;volume 135(7):804-10.
1. Arch Dermatol. 1999 Jul;135(7):804-10.
Eosinophilic, polymorphic, and pruritic eruption associated with radiotherapy.
Rueda RA(1), Valencia IC, Covelli C, Escobar C, Alzate A, Saldarriaga B,
Sanclemente G, Blank A, Falabella R.
Author information:
(1)Department of Dermatology, Universidad del Valle and Hospital Universitario
del Valle, Cali, Colombia.
Comment in
Arch Dermatol. 2001 Jun;137(6):821-2.
OBJECTIVE: To characterize the epidemiological, clinical, and histopathological
features of patients with cancer who develop widespread polymorphic and pruritic
skin lesions following radiotherapy. PATIENTS, DESIGN, AND INTERVENTIONS: During
phase 1, epidemiological and clinical features of 103 patients with cancer, 83
treated with radiotherapy (71 women and 12 men) and 20 controls who did not
undergo radiotherapy (16 women and 4 men), were explored during 3 months (October
1995 to January 1996). During phase 2, in 30 additional patients with cancer who
were treated with telecobalt or linear accelerator, 18 with skin lesions (15
women and 3 men) and 12 without lesions (10 women and 2 men), the following were
investigated: (1) hematoxylin-eosin-stained sections for routine
histopathological examination and direct immunofluorescence, and lymphocytic
markers; (2) blood, skin, and primary tumor eosinophilia; and (3) the presence of
antiepidermal autoantibodies. Patients were examined during 5 months (February
1996 to June 1996).
SETTING: A dermatology department at a university hospital.
RESULTS: During phase 1, 14 (17%) of the 83 patients undergoing radiotherapy
developed an eruption. Acral excoriations, erythematous papules, vesicles, and
bullae were the most frequent lesions. During phase 2, in 18 patients, a
superficial and deep lymphocytic perivascular infiltrate with numerous
eosinophils, intraepidermal and interstitial eosinophilic infiltrates,
eosinophilic panniculitis, IgM and C3 perivascular deposits, and slightly
predominant CD4+ cells were observed. No antiepidermal autoantibodies were found.
CONCLUSIONS: The clinical, histopathological, and immunopathologic features in
patients with cancer undergoing radiotherapy are described. To our knowledge,
this condition has not been well characterized. Because of its unique
presentation, the denomination "eosinophilic, polymorphic, and pruritic eruption
associated with radiotherapy" is suggested.
PMID: 10411155 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
