[Two cases of pellagra associated with chemotherapy of docetaxel, estramustine, dexamethasone]

Hinyokika Kiyo. 2010 Oct;56(10):585-8.
[Article in Japanese]

Abstract

An 81-year-old male with hormone refractory prostate cancer, received chemotherapy of Docetaxel, Estramustine and dexamethasone as an outpatient. After 4 courses of chemotherapy, he was admitted to our hospital in December 2007 because of general fatigue, appetite loss and erythema of the back of hands and face. He was diagnosed with pellagra. Nicotinic acid was administered and the symptoms disappeared. An 80-year-old male with hormone refractory prostate cancer, received chemotherapy of Docetaxel, Estramustine and dexamethasone without admission. After 8 courses of the chemotherapy, appetite loss appeared. In January 2008, medical examinations revealed nails peeling off, facial erythema and erosion of the back of his hands. He was diagnosed with pellagra. Nicotinic acid was administered and the symptoms disappeared. Pellagra, a nicotinic acid deficiency disease, is rarely observed clinically nowadays. However, it may occur in the patients, undergoing chemotherapy without admission.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / adverse effects*
  • Dexamethasone / administration & dosage
  • Dexamethasone / adverse effects
  • Docetaxel
  • Estramustine / administration & dosage
  • Estramustine / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pellagra / chemically induced*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Taxoids / administration & dosage
  • Taxoids / adverse effects

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal
  • Taxoids
  • Docetaxel
  • Estramustine
  • Dexamethasone