Bleomycin-induced flagellate dermatitis

Abstract

Flagellate pigmentation represents a unique adverse effect of bleomycin therapy that is encountered in 8–22% of patients. But this occurrence is independent of dose, route of administration, and underlying disorder (including type of malignancy). We highlight a case of a middle-aged man who developed flagellate hyperpigmentation following bleomycin-containing combined chemotherapy for Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Early recognition of bleomycin as the culprit drug is of paramount importance as these patients are usually on multiple medications.

Keywords

• adverse drug reaction
• bleomycin
• flagellate pigmentation