Probable cytarabine-induced acral erythema: report of 2 pediatric cases.

Acral erythema (palmoplantar erythrodysesthesia) is a localized skin side effect that is seen most often in patients receiving cytarabine, liposomal pegylated doxorubicin, capecitabine, and 5-fluorouracil. It is characterized by painful erythema of both palms and soles with symmetrically well-defined borders, which may progress to bullae formation and desquamation. It is frequently occurred in patients with acute myeloid leukemia and lymphoma. Here, we reported 2 cases of acral erythema that developed during cytarabin-etoposide and cytarabine-mitoxantrone combination treatment for acute myeloid leukemia. Although rarely reported in children, pediatricians should especially be aware of this reaction when taking care of children who receive chemotherapy.