Melanonychia and mucocutaneous hyperpigmentation from hydroxyurea use for the treatment of essential thrombocytosis.

Abstract

Hydroxyurea is an antineoplastic agent commonly used to treat essential thrombocytosis. We report the case of a 50-year-old woman who was incidentally detected to have essential thrombocytosis after suffering an episode of cerebrovascular accident with faciobrachial monoparesis. She was subsequently initiated on hydroxyurea. Within seven weeks of therapy, the patient noticed irregular hyperpigmented patches over her feet, hands and perioral region, with bluish-grey longitudinal bands on all 20 nails. Hydroxyurea-induced hyperpigmentation and melanonychia are not commonly reported. To the best of our knowledge, this is only the third published report of hydroxyurea-induced hyperpigmentation and melanonychia involving all 20 nails. Physicians need to be aware of such mucocutaneous side effects to avoid misdiagnosis and unwarranted fear in patients. The decision to discontinue the intake of the drug depends heavily on the future risk of thrombotic events.

• Authors: Suman S Karanth, Anurag Gupta, Mukhyaprana Prabhu
• Journal: Singapore medical journal (Singapore Med J) Vol. 55 Issue 1 Pg. e7-8 (Jan 2014) ISSN: 0037-5675 [Print] India
• PMID: 24452985 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Hydroxyurea

Topics

• Female
• Humans
• Hydroxyurea (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Hyperpigmentation (chemically induced)
• Middle Aged
• Nail Diseases (chemically induced)
• Nails (drug effects)
• Stroke (drug therapy)
• Thrombocytosis (drug therapy)
• Treatment Outcome