[Longitudinal melanonychia induced by hydroxyurea therapy].

UNLABELLED: Four case reports of patients with myeloproliferative syndrome receiving therapy with hydroxycarbamide (synonymous: hydroxyurea) and developing streaky longitudinal pigmentation appeared in fingernails and toenails several months after starting this therapy.

BACKGROUND

Pigmentation of finger- and toenails presents a wide range of differential diagnostic considerations. They can be of infectious, melanocytic or exogenous origin or caused by metabolic disorders.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

Three women and one man, ranging in age from 62 and 87 years, were treated with hydroxycarbamide for myeloproliferative syndrome or chronic myelogenous leukemia for five to twelve years. All four patients were Fitzpatrick skin types II.

RESULTS

Several months after starting this therapy, they developed streaky longitudinal pigmentation of their fingernails and toenails. In two patients, these findings were diagnosed by chance, whereas two patients sought dermatological advice because of nail pigmentation. In two of the patients the longitudinal pigmentation disappeared a few month after discontinuation of hydroxycarbamide. The melanonychia persisted in another patient, while the fourth was lost to follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

When melanonychia is identified in hematology-oncology patients, a careful medical history should be obtained. A list of medications is crucial, since hydroxycarbamide causes nail pigmentation. In each case of nail pigmentation, an acral lentiginous melanoma must be excluded.