Erosive Pustular Dermatosis of the Scalp Induced by Gefitinib: Case and Review of the Literature
January 2021
in “
Dermatology Online Journal
”
erosive pustular dermatosis of the scalp gefitinib tyrosine kinase inhibitor acneiform papulopustular eruption xerosis vitiligo paronychia mucositis scalp alopecia curling of the hair facial hypertrichosis EPDS scalp rash hair loss dry skin skin depigmentation nail infection mouth inflammation hair curling excessive facial hair
TLDR An 84-year-old man developed a rare scalp condition from a cancer drug but continued treatment as it was otherwise well tolerated.
In 2021, a case was presented of an 84-year-old man with non-small cell lung cancer who developed erosive pustular dermatosis of the scalp (EPDS) after four weeks of treatment with gefitinib, a selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor used for the treatment of malignant neoplasms. The most common skin complication during gefitinib therapy is an acneiform papulopustular eruption, but this case showed a more uncommon reaction. Other cutaneous adverse reactions to gefitinib can include xerosis, vitiligo, paronychia, mucositis, and hair changes such as scalp alopecia, curling of the hair, and facial hypertrichosis. Despite the development of the pustular rash on his scalp, the patient's oncologists suggested to continue the treatment as it was otherwise well tolerated.
