Tumor Regression Predicts Higher Risk of Sentinel Node Involvement in Thin Cutaneous Melanomas

In a 2003 case study, a 64-year-old woman with chronic myelogenous leukemia treated with imatinib developed panniculitis, a rare skin reaction. Despite initial positive response to imatinib, she presented with painful skin lesions, fever, and symptoms of accelerated CML. Laboratory tests and a skin biopsy confirmed panniculitis. After stopping imatinib and starting corticosteroids, her skin condition improved. Imatinib was reintroduced alongside glucocorticosteroids, leading to milder skin lesions without severe symptoms. This was the first report of panniculitis linked to imatinib, suggesting a need for more research on the drug's side effects and indicating that it can be safely readministered with corticosteroids after such reactions.