Bleomycin-induced flagellate erythema in a patient with Hodgkin's lymphoma - A case report and review of literature.

Bleomycin is a glycopeptide used as a chemotherapeutic agent for lymphomas, germ cell tumors, and pleurodesis of malignant pleural effusions. The pulmonary toxicity of bleomycin is well known while the cutaneous side effects are uncommon and varies from generalized hyperpigmentation, sclerodermoid changes, erythema multiformae, and gangrene to flagellate dermatosis. Here we report a characteristic but rare side effect of flagellate erythema, which developed secondary to bleomycin in a 27-year old woman with Hodgkin's lymphoma after two cycles of treatment with adriamycin, bleomycin, vinblastine, dacarbazine regimen. The rash subsided after discontinuation of bleomycin and treatment with steroids.