Cicatricial Alopecia Caused by the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Inhibitor, Gefitinib.
- Author:
Min Joong KIM
1
;
Jung Hee KIM
;
Eun Ju LEE
;
Bark Lynn LEW
;
Woo Young SIM
Author Information
1. Department of Dermatology, Kyung Hee University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. bellotte@hanmail.net
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Cicatricial alopecia;
Epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors;
Gefitinib
- MeSH:
Alopecia;
Antineoplastic Agents;
Cicatrix;
Epidermal Growth Factor;
Female;
Fibrosis;
Hair;
Hair Follicle;
Humans;
Lymphocytes;
Physical Examination;
Pruritus;
Quinazolines;
Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor;
Scalp
- From:Korean Journal of Dermatology
2013;51(1):45-48
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors (EGFRIs) are new anticancer agents that act by inhibiting EGFR signaling transduction pathways, thus decreasing tumor growth. They have made anti-cancer treatment more tolerable and have also reduced systemic side effects. However, they have many cutaneous side effects. Alopecia is an uncommon cutaneous side effect of EGFRIs, and cicatricial alopecia has been reported more rarely. A 59-year-old woman presented with itching and hair loss on the scalp, which started 2 months ago. She had been taking gefitinib for 7 months. A physical examination revealed localized erythematous hairless patches with scattered thick crusts on the scalp. Histopathologic examination showed a decreased number of hair follicles with perifollicular lymphocytes infiltration and perifollicular fibrosis, consistent with a scarring alopecia. We report a rare and interesting case of cicatricial alopecia after using the EGFRI, gefitinib.
