Dexrazoxane-a promising antidote in the treatment of accidental extravasation of anthracyclines

Abstract

Accidental extravasation of chemotherapy containing anthracycline often causes mutilating complications as a result of extensive tissue necrosis. Treatment therefore consists of extensive surgical debridement. We present the case of a 41-year-old woman with breast cancer who experienced extravasation of epirubicin. She was treated with an intravenous infusion of dexrazoxane for three successive days and recovered without surgical treatment and only slightly dysaesthesia in the surrounding tissue. Although infusion of dexrazoxane for this indication is still experimental we consider it a promising treatment for patients who have accidental extravasation of anthracyclines.