Docetaxel-induced hand and foot syndrome in a patient with metastatic breast carcinoma

• Main Authors: Ravichandran Gurumurthi, Ramesh BV Nimmagadda, Subhashini Mohan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2013-01-01
• Series: Indian Journal of Dermatology
• Subjects: Hand and foot syndrome; docetaxel-induced acral erythema; palmar - plantar erythrodysesthesia
• Online Access: http://www.e-ijd.org/article.asp?issn=0019-5154;year=2013;volume=58;issue=5;spage=380;epage=382;aulast=Gurumurthi

Hand and foot syndrome (HFS) is a well-known complication of chemotherapeutic drugs given in a dose-dense manner. Our patient was a 52-year-old female with metastatic breast carcinoma on salvage chemotherapy regimen with docetaxel at a dose of 60 mg/m 2 . The patient had grade 3 HFS characterized by symmetrical, tender, and erythematous skin lesions over the palms and soles associated with dysesthesia necessitating interruption of treatment. She developed this syndrome at a much lower dose than previously described due to her altered hepatic function. An insight regarding this unique distressing side-effect and assessment of various contributing factors would help us identify and treat the patient at the earliest.