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Severe skin reaction secondary to concomitant radiotherapy plus cetuximab

Bernhard Berger email and Claus Belka email

Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Tübingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 3, 72076 Tübingen, Germany

author email corresponding author email

Radiation Oncology 2008, 3:5doi:10.1186/1748-717X-3-5

Published: 28 January 2008

Abstract

The therapeutic use of monoclonal antibodies against the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is specifically associated with dermatologic reactions of variable severity. Recent evidence suggests superiority of the EGFR inhibitor (EGFRI) cetuximab plus radiotherapy compared to radiotherapy alone in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Although not documented in a study population, several reports indicate a possible overlap between radiation dermatitis and the EGFRI-induced skin rash. We here present a case of severe skin reaction secondary to the addition of cetuximab to radiotherapy.


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