Squamous cell carcinoma during long term hydroxyurea treatment: A case report

Abstract

Background Hydroxyurea (HU) is a ribonucleotide diphosphate reductase inhibitor that interferes with the S phase of cell replication and inhibits DNA synthesis, with limited or no effect on RNA or protein synthesis. The cutaneous side effects of hydroxyurea treatment are diverse and frequent. Squamous cell carcinoma is one of the most challenging side-effect. Case presentation The authors report the case of a healthy 59-year-old woman on long-term therapy with Hydroxyurea 500 mg daily for essential thrombocytosis, presented with a painless slow-growing lesion of the jaw that had persisted and increased in size for six months, the appearance of the lesion is correlated to the administration of the hydroxyurea treatment. Clinical examination revealed a large nodular lesion 4 × 4 cm with irregular borders of the right cheek, infiltrated into underlying tissue, the lesion extending to the free border of the right lower eyelid without sensory disturbances or diplopia. The surgery was indicated. The surgical procedure had the aim of the restoration of the anatomic landmarks after a large excision of the tumor and reconstruction of full-thickness eyelid defect with a local flap under general anesthesia. Conclusion Maxillofacial surgeons must be aware of the side effects of hydroxyurea including facial cancer, ulceration, etc. Rigorous follow-up of patients on hydroxyurea is required.

Hydroxyurea-Associated Multiple Squamous Cell Carcinoma Developed on the Dermatomyositis-Like Eruption

“…In general, manifestations associated with DM-like eruptions tend to resolve within 10–18 months following the discontinuation of hydroxyurea treatment. [ 2 3 4 5 6 ] In our patient, the DM-like eruptions began to improve within 4 months and were no longer observed at the 12-month follow-up after discontinuing hydroxyurea treatment. This outcome suggests a favourable prognosis for hydroxyurea-associated squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).…”

In silico design of bioactive chimeric peptide from archaeal antimicrobial peptides

“…Although the therapeutic spectrum of hydroxyurea reaches out to neoplastic (carcinomas) as well as non-neoplastic diseases (sickle cell anemia), the cytotoxic effects exerted by it even in normal cells due to prolonged usage gains limitations in its application (Singh and Xu 2016). Continuous usage of it has shown increasing risks of occurrence of skin cancers and other side-effects (Kerdoud et al 2021). So, our peptide could possibly be an efficient alternative to such traditional inhibitors.…”

A 73‐year‐old woman with multiple crusted lesions

“…7,8 The SCCs are usually located in photodistributed areas, which suggests that ultraviolet plays an important adjuvant role in HU-associated SCCs. [7][8][9] Strict photoprotection is thus mandatory in patients on long-term HU therapy.…”