Chemotherapy-Associated Palmar-Plantar Erythrodysesthesia Syndrome

Excerpt

The delivery of cancer chemotherapy by continuous infusion either for 5 days or for protracted durations has become common because of the substantial alleviation of toxicity, particularly acute gastrointestinal effects and cumulative drug effects (1). Short-term (120-hour or 5-day) infusions are commonly used for the delivery of fluorouracil (2), vinblastine (3), and doxorubicin (4). In a series of phase I and II trials of protracted infusion chemotherapy (5), we have seen an unusual dermatologic syndrome involving the palms and soles that limits the ability to continue treatment.

A prodrome of dysesthesias develops in the palms and soles that is initially