Docetaxel-induced Scleroderma in A Breast Cancer Patient: A Case Report

Abstract

Paclitaxel and docetaxel are antineoplastic drugs derived from the yew tree, Taxus brevifolia. They are the members of the taxane family and act by inhibiting mitotic activity due to the suppression of microtubule depolymerization. They are used in the treatment of ovarian cancer, breast cancer, gastric cancer, small cell lung cancer, and head and neck cancer. In addition to side effects such as cardiotoxicity, neutropenia, arthralgia, and myalgia, they may also cause alopecia, urticaria, mucositis, acral erythema, pustular dermatitis, erythema multiforme, and scleroderma-like mucocutaneous lesions. Scleroderma is among the uncommon side effects of taxane antineoplastic agents. As was the case in few cases in literature, it usually begins with edematous changes in the proximal aspect of the extremities, and subsequently, sclerosis is developed in the skin. Scleroderma, which usually regresses with the discontinuation of the drug and with steroid therapy, may lead to severe contractions that require physical therapy and rehabilitation in some patients. In this paper, we presented a 60-year-old female patient in whom scleroderma developed due to docetaxel chemotherapy for breast cancer, because of its rarity.

Keywords

• taxoids
• scleroderma
• breast cancer