Hydroxyurea and nonmelanoma skin cancers: report on three cases and review of the literature

Tatjana Roš; Branislava Gajić; Zorica Gajinov; Milana Ivkov Simić; Slobodan Stojanović; Zoran Golušin

doi:10.2298/VSP160218298R

Tatjana Roš Clinical Center of Vojvodina, Clinic for Dermatovenereology, Novi Sad, Serbia; University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Medicine, Novi Sad, Serbia
Branislava Gajić Clinical Center of Vojvodina, Clinic for Dermatovenereology, Novi Sad, Serbia; University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Medicine, Novi Sad, Serbia
Zorica Gajinov Clinical Center of Vojvodina, Clinic for Dermatovenereology, Novi Sad, Serbia; University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Medicine, Novi Sad, Serbia
Milana Ivkov Simić Clinical Center of Vojvodina, Clinic for Dermatovenereology, Novi Sad, Serbia; University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Medicine, Novi Sad, Serbia
Slobodan Stojanović Clinical Center of Vojvodina, Clinic for Dermatovenereology, Novi Sad, Serbia; University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Medicine, Novi Sad, Serbia
Zoran Golušin Clinical Center of Vojvodina, Clinic for Dermatovenereology, Novi Sad, Serbia; University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Medicine, Novi Sad, Serbia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2298/VSP160218298R

Keywords: skin neoplasms, ultraviolet rays, hydroxyurea, treatment outcome,

Abstract

Introduction. Hydroxyurea (HU) is a cytostatic agent, frequently used for the treatment of myeloproliferative disorders, sickle cell anemia and severe forms of psoriasis. Cutaneous side effects occur in up to one third of patients taking hydroxyurea, with the most serious side effect being susceptibility to develop non-melanoma skin cancers. Case report. We report 3 patients using HU that have developed multiple skin malignancies on the head and neck region and dorsa of the hands, arranged according to the level of the overall squamous dysplasia expressed. Conclusion. A cumulative dose of hydroxyurea affects skin cancer promotion in concordance with other risk factors determining cumulative ultraviolet exposure (age of the patients, skin phototype, sun habits), but the exact influence of each of them and enrollment of other possible cofactors remains to be elucidated. We point out the importance of adequate skin cancer preventive and therapeutic approach to the patients treated with hydroxyurea.

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