Hydroxyurea dermopathy

Hydroxyurea dermopathy is a skin condition caused by chronic use of hydroxyurea for various indications such as chronic myelogenous leukemia, thrombocytosis, or psoriasis, and presents with skin lesions characteristic of dermatomyositis.^[1]

Cause[edit | edit source]

Chronic treatment with the drug hydroxyurea

Symptoms[edit | edit source]

Symptoms of hydroxyurea dermopathy include: Lichenoid papules, telangiectasia, and poikilodermatous lesions on the dorsal hands and digits^[2].

Histology[edit | edit source]

Interface dermatitis, focal lichenoid reaction with epidermal atrophy, and Civatte bodies were the most common histologic findings. Endothelial swelling also was noted.

Immunology[edit | edit source]

Cytoid staining with multiple conjugates was the most common immunopathologic finding.

Diagnosis[edit | edit source]

Clinical history, and biopsy with histology and immunologic testing as noted above.

Treatment[edit | edit source]

Most patients show significant improvement after discontinuation of hydroxyurea.

ICD[edit | edit source]

ICD10 code: Y43.3 ICD9 code:E933.1

References[edit | edit source]

↑ James, William; Berger, Timothy; Elston, Dirk (2005). Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology. (10th ed.). Saunders.
↑ Daoud MS, Gibson LE, Pittelkow MR. Hydroxyurea dermopathy: a unique lichenoid eruption complicating long-term therapy with hydroxyurea. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1997 Feb;36(2 Pt 1):178-82. doi: 10.1016/s0190-9622(97)70276-7. PMID: 9039164.

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