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Review
. 1998 Jan 1;128(1):29-32.
doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-128-1-199801010-00005.

Hydroxyurea-induced leg ulceration in 14 patients

P J Best  1 , M S Daoud, M R Pittelkow, R M Petitt
Affiliations
Review

Hydroxyurea-induced leg ulceration in 14 patients

P J Best et al. Ann Intern Med. .

Abstract

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.

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Comment in

  • Hydroxyurea-associated leg ulceration.
    Kennedy BJ. Kennedy BJ. Ann Intern Med. 1998 Aug 1;129(3):252; author reply 252-3. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-129-3-199808010-00017. Ann Intern Med. 1998. PMID: 9696737 No abstract available.
  • Hydroxyurea-associated leg ulceration.
    Disla E, D'Eamour L, Cioriou M. Disla E, et al. Ann Intern Med. 1998 Aug 1;129(3):252-3. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-129-3-199808010-00018. Ann Intern Med. 1998. PMID: 9696738 No abstract available.
  • Hydroxyurea-induced leg ulcers treated with Apligraf.
    Flores F, Eaglstein WA, Kirsner RS. Flores F, et al. Ann Intern Med. 2000 Mar 7;132(5):417-8. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-132-5-200003070-00017. Ann Intern Med. 2000. PMID: 10691597 No abstract available.

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