[Hand-foot syndrome: A new side effect of erlotinib].

BACKGROUND: Erlotinib (Tarceva) belongs to the family of epidermal growth receptor factor (EGFR) inhibitors. Used in the treatment of some cancers, it is responsible for several cutaneous side effects. We report a case of hand-foot syndrome, which has not previously been described with this drug to our knowledge. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A 65-year-old patient was given erlotinib for lung cancer and after the first month of treatment, he developed severe hand-foot syndrome. DISCUSSION: Hand-foot syndrome consists of abrupt bilateral and painful acral erythema associated with dysesthesia. It is a dose-dependent side effect of certain cytostatic drugs. It may sometimes require withdrawal of the causative drug. Care must be taken to identify the early signs of hand-foot syndrome in patients treated with erlotinib.