[Radiation recall dermatitis after docetaxel and external beam radiotherapy. Report of two cases and review of the literature].

Radiation recall refers to a tissue reaction produced by a chemotherapeutic agent in a previously irradiated field that would not occur in a nonirradiated field. Docetaxel is a member of the taxane group of antineoplastic agents that cause disruption of cell division by enhancing microtubule assembly and inhibiting tubulin depolymerisation. As well as in breast cancer and lung cancer treatment, its association in a chemoradiation planned treatment becomes frequent and effective. Most of radiation recall dermatitis (RDD) reported in literature concerned paclitaxel or other drugs. We report two particularly striking cases of RDD with docetaxel and radiotherapy. Even if etiology remains undetermined, a number of hypotheses can be formulated. Familiarity with this phenomenon and potential complications of chemotherapy following tumor irradiation may expedite early diagnosis and appropriate lifesaving treatment.