Erosive pustular dermatosis of the scalp induced by gefitinib: case and review of the literature

Abstract

Gefitinib is a selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) used for the treatment of malignant neoplasms. The most frequent skin complication during gefitinib therapy is an acneiform papulopustular eruption, usually distributed in the seborrheic areas but occasionally widespread. We report a patient with erosive pustular dermatosis of the scalp, a neutrophil-mediated skin disease presenting with sterile pustules evolving into erosions and crusts on the scalp, during treatment with the EGFR inhibitor gefitinib for lung cancer. A literature review of the drug-induced cases of this rare entity is provided.

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