Generalized benign cutaneous reaction to cytarabine

Adaptation of the Nursing Activities Score for oncologic care

“…In a study conducted in California (USA), skin reactions due to the use of cytarabine and antineoplastic antibiotics were observed. Statement and physical examination, with particular attention to predilection areas (armpits, groin, back of the neck, ears and scalp), remain the best tools to differentiate this diagnosis from more severe reactions (14) . Laboratory investigations; Interpretation on pre-chemotherapy laboratory tests is necessary.…”

Malignant intertrigo: A subset of toxic erythema of chemotherapy requiring recognition

“…A recently published case series reported on a generalized and benign papular purpuric eruption associated with cytarabine in 16 patients 8 . This rash also displayed some predilection for intertriginous areas; however, the purpuric eruption was not mostly confined to the flexural areas, where accumulation of secreted cytarabine may exert its cytotoxic effect; rather, the eruption was hypothesized to result from vascular toxicity and frequently spread to the face, chest, back, and extremities.…”

Cutaneous adverse events associated with purine analogs in the treatment of hairy cell leukemia

“…This case series analysis documents evidence of cutaneous eruptions in a large cohort of patients with HCL treated with cladribine or pentostatin. Both agents frequently manifested a delayed onset morbilliform eruption in patients, similar to cytarabine, a pyrimidine analog that is used for other hematologic malignancies . In contrast to cytarabine, however, cladribine and pentostatin skin lesions rarely demonstrated features of toxic erythema of chemotherapy such as palmoplantar erythrodysesthesia, malignant intertrigo, or “Ara‐C ears”, but this could be related to under‐documentation.…”