Herpes zoster in patients with small-cell carcinoma of the lung receiving combined modality treatment.

Herpes zoster, a rare complication in patients with solid tumours, was observed in 13 of 161 (8.1%) patients with small-cell anaplastic carcinoma of the lung treated in a prospective combined modality therapy trial. Induction therapy consisted of three courses of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and vincristine, followed by thoracic radiation. Maintenance chemotherapy with oral lomustine, procarbazine, and methotrexate was given for 1 year. Most herpes zoster cases (11) occurred while patients were on maintenance chemotherapy. Three patients developed nonfatal disseminated herpes zoster and one, postherpetic neuralgia. Herpes zoster may be a relatively frequent complication of prolonged aggressive treatment of small-cell carcinoma of the lung.