Paronychia during Iressa® treatment in a lung cancer patient

Abstract

Iressa (ZD 1839, gefitinib) is a new anti-cancer agent which selectively inhibits the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase in the pathway of the signal transduction. This agent can induce adverse effects in the cutaneous which are related to the interruption of normal epidermal cell kinetics. We report a case of paronychia in a 65-year-old man, developed in both sides of his finger and toe nails during treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (Stage IV) with Iressa for 7 days. The patient came to our clinic with painful periungal inflammation with granulation tissue formation. The lesion was improved after treatment with topical or systemic antibiotics, Burrow's solution (0.3% aluminum acetate) soaking and electrodessication.