Nail Changes Secondary to Docetaxel (Taxotere)

Abstract

Docetaxel is a new taxoid antineoplastic drug widely used for advanced breast cancer. Skin and nail toxicity are one of the more frequent nonhematologic adverse reactions. Besides dark pigmentations and Beau’s lines, subungual hemorrhage, orange discoloration, acute painful paronychia, onycholysis, subungual hyperkeratosis and transverse loss of the nail plate are described. The type of nail alteration is related with the number of cycles administered and there are no efficacious preventive measures to avoid its development. Clinicians should recognize the clinical picture of these adverse nail reactions because docetaxel is used for several neoplastic disorders.

Chemotherapeutic agents and the skin: An update

“…1,[164][165][166] Rarely, docetaxel has been associated with scleroderma-like changes of the lower extremities occurring in 3 phases: first, there is edema that is unresponsive to diuretic therapy; second, tightening and induration of the skin occurs; and finally, a softening phase begins after docetaxel discontinuation. Scleroderma-like changes were first reported from docetaxel in 2 patients in a phase I study.…”

Mitteilungen der GARPS

“…Am häufigsten werden Pigmentveränderungen und Querfurchen beobachtet. Schwere Nagelveränderungen bis hin zur Ablösung werden fast ausschließlich bei der Gabe von Docetaxel beobachtet [11]. Das HandFuß-Syndrom ist eine schmerzhafte, erythematöse Hautläsi-on im Bereich der Handinnenflächen und Fusssohlen, die in schweren Fällen mit Blasenbildung einhergeht.…”

Chemotherapy-Induced Nail Changes: An Unsightly Nuisance

“…The most significant side effect of docetaxel is neutropenia. Additional adverse effects include alopecia, asthenia, hypersensitive reactions, and skin changes (Correia, Azevedo, Ferreira, Cruz, & Polonia, 1999). According to the package insert, nail changes occur in approximately 30% of patients receiving docetaxel (Aventis, Inc., 2002).…”