Scleroderma in a Patient on Capecitabine: Is this a Variant of Hand-Foot Syndrome?

Abstract

Drug-induced scleroderma is a rare adverse effect of some chemotherapeutic drugs, such as taxanes and bleomycin. Capecitabine, an oral fluoropyrimidine approved for the treatment of metastatic breast and colon cancer, commonly causes cutaneous side effects including the hand-and-foot syndrome (HFS). Scleroderma-like skin changes associated with HFS associated with capecitabine is rare. However, diffuse scleroderma has never before been reported. We report a case of capecitabine-induced diffuse/systemic scleroderma in an 86-year-old female treated with capecitabine for metastatic colorectal cancer. She developed progressive skin and visceral sclerosis involving the lungs. We discuss the association between chemotherapy and scleroderma. We believe this is the first case of diffuse/systemic capecitabine-induced scleroderma without the presence of HFS. Early diagnosis is essential as fibrosis might be prevented in early stages. The capecitabine should be discontinued as early as possible.