Bleomycin-induced flagellate hyperpigmentation: Clinical Image

Abstract

Flagellate hyperpigmentation is a unique complication of systemic bleomycin sulfate therapy. It has an onset anywhere between 1 day and several months after administration for various indications and these eruptions are usually dose-dependent. The dose of bleomycin required to produce such an effect is usually more than 100 U but it can also occur at lower doses also. Herewith, we describe a case with clinical image of ovarian dysgerminoma that presented with typical linear and streaked pigmentation following a very low dose (30 U) of systemic bleomycin therapy which appeared within 24 h of administration and increased gradually after subsequent doses.

Keywords

• Bleomycin
• chemotherapy
• flagellate hyperpigmentation