Chemotherapy induced asymmetrical melalnonychia

Asymmetrical melanonychia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5937/afmnai39-36282
Keywords: melanonychia, chemotherapy, chromonychia

Abstract


Introduction: Chemotherapy may cause various nail damage including chromonychia, melanonychia, onycholisis, and onychomadesis. Melanonychia is characterized by melanin–derived brown–to–black nail pigmentation. It may occur as a result of nail matrix melanocytic activation or melanocytic hyperplasia, and nail invasion by melanin–producing pathogens. Case outline: We present a case of patient who developed an extreme rare event of asymmetric melanonychia during systemic treatment of non–Hodgkin lymphoma. The melanonychia developed in dose–dependent manner after 500mg of doxorubicin.  One of the most incriminating agents for melanonychia development is doxorubicin and to a less extent cyclophosphamide. Our patient received both drugs as combined chemotherapy. After treatment completion the phenomenon disappeared. The supremely unexpected event was skin melanoma occurrence. Conclusion: It has been undetermined yet whether this event was causally related to previous nail-related melanocyte activation or it was just a coincidence.  

Author Biography

Ivan Z Petković, Klinika za onkologiju, Univerzitetski Klinički Centar Niš

Odsek za maligne hemopatije, melanom, sarkome mekih tkiva i tumore nepoznatog primarnog ishodišta i intenzivne nege hemato-onkološkog tipa

Klinika za onkologiju Klinički Centar Niš

Doc.dr sc. med. specijalista interne medicine, subspecijalista onkolog i hematoonkolog

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Published
2025/12/21
Issue
Vol. 39 No. 3 (2022): Acta facultatis medicae Naissensis
Section
Prikaz slučaja / Case report