Progressive digital necrosis during gemcitabine/nab‐paclitaxel chemotherapy in a patient with pancreatic cancer

Abstract

Progressive digital necrosis during gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel chemotherapy in a patient with pancreatic cancer Dear Editor, Chemotherapy rarely induces digital necrosis in a patient with malignant neoplasms. 1 We report the second case of digital necrosis, which occurred during gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel combination therapy and progressed after withdrawing chemotherapy. F I G U R E 1 (A) At the initial visit, her left 4th finger had cyanosis. Two weeks later, the tip of the left 4th finger became necrotic and cyanosis appeared on the left 3rd finger. Two months later, gangrene of the left 4th finger became worse, and cyanosis and gangrene on the right 3rd and 4th finger occurred. Four months later, gangrene progressed even more. (B) Skin biopsy of the left 4th finger revealed vascular dilatation in the dermis. (hematoxylin-eosin, original magnification Â40). (C) Vasculitis and sclerotic change were not observed. (hematoxylin-eosin, original magnification Â100)

Necrosis of Pedunculated Lipofibroma by Nab-Paclitaxel

“…In this case, fluorometholone eye drops and the patient’s supine posture might contribute to skin necrosis. Another study reported progressive digital necrosis during gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel chemotherapy in a patient with pancreatic cancer [4].…”