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Pellagra secondary to 5‐fluorouracil
Author(s) -
STEVENS H.P.,
OSTLERE L.S.,
BEGENT R.H.J.,
DOOLEY J.S.,
RUSTIN M.H.A.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2133.1993.tb00240.x
Subject(s) - pellagra , medicine , etiology , rash , disease , dermatology , fluorouracil , malignant disease , cancer
Summary The development of pellagra in a patient treated with 5‐fluoroiiracil for malignant disease is reported. The aetiology of pellagra in this patient is discussed, and the reasons for possible under‐diagnosis of pellagra in association with malignant disease considered. We report a patient who presented with the typical skin changes of pellagra. The rash, and an associated acute deterioration in cerebral function, were exacerbated by treatment with 5‐fluorouracil. The importance of considering nicotinic‐acid deficiency in patients with malignant disease has not been emphasized in the literature.