Gemicitabine-induced radiation recall phenomenon in 2 distinctive sites on the same patient.

Radiation recall phenomenon is an acute inflammatory reaction that develops in previously irradiated areas after administration of inciting agents systemically. The most common agents are anticancer drugs. Gemcitabine, a fluorine-substituted deoxycytidine analog, is widely used as a chemotherapy medication. Its antitumor effect results from the blockade of DNA synthesis and DNA repair. It has been used in advanced pancreatic, non-small-cell lung, bladder, and ovarian cancers; soft-tissue sarcoma; and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. It has occasionally been reported to cause radiation recall phenomenon. The time between radiation and recall may range from weeks to almost a year.