mercaptopurine and Erythema

Subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma (SPTCL) is a rare type of T-cell lymphoma of CD3+CD8+ phenotype characterized by deep-seated skin nodules or plaques mimicking panniculitis, a result of neoplastic lymphocytes infiltrating the subcutaneous fatty tissue. We present a case of a 19-month year old boy with SPTCL diagnosed and successfully treated in our institution. Disease first presented with symptoms of high fever and painful erythematous nodule located below the umbilicus. Later on the infiltrates appeared on the face, legs, arms and the back of the body. As the most decisive in obtaining the diagnosis, skin biopsy showed atypical, small to medium-sized lymphatic cells infiltrating the deeper dermal layers as well as the subcutaneous adipous tissue surrounding the adipocytes. Immunohystochemical analysis showed neoplastic lymphocytes positive for CD2, CD3, CD5, CD7, CD8, Tia-1, granzyme B and perforine, and negative for CD20, CD34, TDT and CD56. No infiltration of blood vessels or epidermis was evident. Specific T-cell lymphomas protocol (EURO-LB 02) was then initiated which resulted with rapid regression of all general and local symptoms. The treatment was completed according to schedule and the child is now, 24 months after the initiation of the treatment, in complete remission.

Topics: Antigens, CD; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Biopsy; Diagnosis, Differential; Erythema; Humans; Immunophenotyping; Infant; Lymphoma, T-Cell; Male; Mercaptopurine; Methotrexate; Panniculitis; Skin

The medical records of 58 patients who were surviving after completing treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia were reviewed to determine the incidence of skin rash occurring after their treatment had ended. Twenty-eight (48%) developed a rash within 3 months of completing treatment. In the majority this was erythematous, affected the face, and in all patients was transient. There was an increased incidence of rash in those patients who had eczema or asthma or who had a family history of eczema or asthma. It would seem prudent to warn parents of this phenomenon and reassure them of it's benign nature.

Topics: Erythema; Humans; Mercaptopurine; Methotrexate; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma

We encountered a case of distinctive palmar-plantar erythema with desquamation of the fingers in a patient receiving high-dose mercaptopurine combined with allopurinol. He was receiving 400 mg/d of mercaptopurine with 200 mg/d of allopurinol when a painful, livid erythema involving his hands and feet developed. Over the ensuing 24 hours, desquamation of the distal fingertips was noted. The mercaptopurine was discontinued and the patient was treated with topical fluocinonide ointment under occlusion. Over the next 96 hours, the erythema and pain resolved entirely. To date, this is the eighth case of a painful desquamating erythema of the palms and soles occurring as a complication of chemotherapy. We suggest that high-dose mercaptopurine combined with allopurinol that blocks xanthine oxidase, a necessary enzyme in the catabolism of mercaptopurine, was responsible for our patient's clinical presentation.

Topics: Adult; Drug Eruptions; Erythema; Foot Dermatoses; Hand Dermatoses; Humans; Male; Mercaptopurine

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Adolescent; Age Factors; Bone Marrow Examination; Child; Cyclophosphamide; Cytarabine; Diagnosis, Differential; Erythema; Erythrocytes; Humans; Leukemia, Erythroblastic, Acute; Male; Mercaptopurine; Myelography