Cutaneous Manifestations in Leukemia Patients

Cutaneous complications are common in patients with leukemia. However, the cause is not always immediately clear, as there are often numerous potential etiologies. Thrombocytopenia or coagulopathy can result in ecchymoses or petechiae, whereas extramedullary (EM) involvement by leukemia can present as a rash. Leukemia can also result in skin manifestations via indirect means, including several types of paraneoplastic phenomena. Moreover, various agents routinely used to treat leukemia—most notably cytarabine (cytosine arabinoside)—can cause precipitate quite profound skin eruptions.
Source: Seminars in Oncology - Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Source Type: research