Gemcitabine-induced erysipeloid skin lesions in a patient with malignant mesothelioma.

Gemcitabine is a nucleoside analogue that has shown to have antineoplastic activity in different solid tumours (lung, pancreas, bladder, colon, ovarian, and breast cancer) and malignant mesothelioma. The toxic effects of gemcitabine include myelosuppression, flu-like syndrome, altered liver function tests, bronchospasm, rash, itching, and fever. However, gemcitabine-induced erysipeloid skin reaction was reported in a small number of patients with previous history of radiotherapy or lymphedema. We reported a male patient who developed erysipeloid skin reaction following gemcitabine treatment in the absence of radiotherapy and lymphedema.