Cyclophosphamide and Doxorubicin Induced Melanonychia: A Case Report

J Clin Diagn Res. 2017 Jan;11(1):OD04-OD05. doi: 10.7860/JCDR/2017/23041.9216. Epub 2017 Jan 1.

Abstract

Chemotherapeutic agents may rarely cause discoloration and hyperpigmentation of the nails. We present a patient who developed blackish discoloration of nails also referred as melanonychia during six cycles of R-CHOP chemotherapy regimen (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone) for the treatment of Non Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) follicular type. The patient developed blackish brown discoloration in all the nails. As suggested by previous literature evidence the melanonychia could be associated with cyclophosphamide and doxorubicin. According to the Naranjo causality assessment scale, we established that there was a 'probable' association of nail discoloration with the drug.

Keywords: Chemotherapy; Hyperpigmentation; Naranjo causality assessment scale; Non Hodgkin lymphoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports