BACKGROUND: Hydroxyurea is an antineoplastic agent commonly used to treat myeloproliferative disorders and other nonneoplastic conditions. OBJECTIVE: To further define the typical features of hydroxyurea-related cutaneous ulcers of the leg. DESIGN: Retrospective, descriptive study of the medical records of patients who developed leg ulcers while receiving hydroxyurea therapy. SETTING: A tertiary care medical center. PATIENTS: Patients with myeloproliferative disorders who were treated with hydroxyurea. RESULTS: 14 patients with extremely painful leg ulcers were identified. The most common ulcer site was the malleoli. Multiple ulcers were seen in 64% of patients. Patients had received hydroxyurea for an average of 6 years before ulcers developed. All ulcers healed after discontinuation of hydroxyurea treatment, and 2 patients developed ulcers after treatment was restarted. CONCLUSION: Hydroxyurea induces painful leg ulcers that are usually difficult to treat and require cessation of hydroxyurea therapy.
BACKGROUND:Hydroxyurea is an antineoplastic agent commonly used to treat myeloproliferative disorders and other nonneoplastic conditions. OBJECTIVE: To further define the typical features of hydroxyurea-related cutaneous ulcers of the leg. DESIGN: Retrospective, descriptive study of the medical records of patients who developed leg ulcers while receiving hydroxyurea therapy. SETTING: A tertiary care medical center. PATIENTS: Patients with myeloproliferative disorders who were treated with hydroxyurea. RESULTS: 14 patients with extremely painful leg ulcers were identified. The most common ulcer site was the malleoli. Multiple ulcers were seen in 64% of patients. Patients had received hydroxyurea for an average of 6 years before ulcers developed. All ulcers healed after discontinuation of hydroxyurea treatment, and 2 patients developed ulcers after treatment was restarted. CONCLUSION:Hydroxyurea induces painful leg ulcers that are usually difficult to treat and require cessation of hydroxyurea therapy.
Authors: Victoria K Shanmugam; Sean McNish; Nawar Shara; Katherine J Hubley; Bhaskar Kallakury; David M Dunning; Christopher E Attinger; John S Steinberg Journal: J Foot Ankle Surg Date: 2013-08-14 Impact factor: 1.286