Trichomegaly and scalp hair changes following treatment with erlotinib in pulmonary adenocarcinoma patients: A case report and literature review

Abstract

Erlotinib is among the oral EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors used to treat non-small cell lung cancer. The common side effects of erlotinib include acne form rash and diarrhea. Eyelash trichomegaly and alterations of scalp hair are rarely observed symptoms. In the present study, we report changes in eyelash trichomegaly and scalp hair in six cases of pulmonary adenocarcinoma patients that had been administered erlotinib. The symptoms of eyelash trichomegaly include curly, irregular, excessively long and brittle eyelashes, and alterations of scalp hair include curly or straight, brittle, fine or rigid, reduced growth rate and volume. Since these side effects does not substantially impact patient quality of life, no treatments were administered. These changes in eyelashes and scalp hair gradually disappeared after withdrawal of erlotinib.