Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Inhibitor Gefitinib-Induced Erosive Pustular Dermatosis of the Scalp: A Report with a Brief Review of the Literature
November 2023
in “
Journal of Skin and Sexually Transmitted Diseases
”
Studysummary In this case report, a 65-year-old woman with non-small cell lung cancer experienced scarring alopecia with papulo-pustular lesions on the scalp due to gefitinib treatment, marking it as a rare instance of gefitinib-induced erosive pustular dermatosis of the scalp.
Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer
Gefitinib, an epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor used for treating non-small cell lung carcinoma, can lead to rare adverse effects such as erosive pustular dermatosis (EPD) of the scalp, resulting in scarring alopecia. This case report discusses a 65-year-old female patient who developed papulo-pustular lesions on the scalp after four months of gefitinib therapy, leading to hair loss. Trichoscopic and histopathological examinations confirmed scarring alopecia due to gefitinib-induced EPD. Despite treatment with antibiotics and steroids, the lesions persisted until gefitinib was discontinued, after which the pustules resolved but hair did not regrow. This highlights the potential for EGFR inhibitors to cause significant dermatological side effects, including permanent hair loss, which should be considered when prescribing these medications.
