Work

Limb Salvage After Deep Tissue Infection Associated with Hydroxyurea Therapy and Recommendations for a Follow-Up Protocol in Patients Treated with Hydroxyurea

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Hydroxyurea (HU) is a cytostatic drug used in oncotherapy. The drug has inhibitory effects on bone marrow and epithelial cells and causes minor side effects in the skin, including nail deformity, alopecia, and hyperpigmentation, and severe side effects, including skin tumors and nonhealing ulcers. Herein, we report the case of a patient who received HU therapy for polycythemia vera. The patient had type 2 diabetes and atherosclerosis. Onychodystrophy and a non-healing ulcer developed. Severe deep tissue infection and osteomyelitis, rare complications of a HU-related ulcer, were also diagnosed later. Diabetes and atherosclerosis made the condition more severe. Complex systemic and local therapy led to complete healing of the ulcer and osteomyelitis. Based on the literature and our own experience, a care protocol was proposed for the dermatological follow-up of patients under HU treatment. This recommendation may be particularly useful in the treatment of patients treated with hydroxyurea who suffer from atherosclerosis, diabetes, or leg ulcers and are therefore at increased risk of severe skin and deep tissue infections.

Source: Journal of Clinical Medicine

DOI: 10.3390/jcm14248637

Authors: Éva Badak, Edina Bodnár, László Virág, Éva Remenyik, Éva Szabó

Institution: University of Debrecen

Language: English

Topic: Chemotherapy-related skin toxicity

Subfield: Dermatology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,137