Leukonychia due to cytostatic agents

Abstract

Chromonychia induced by antineoplastic agents has been known for several years. The most frequent of these is melanonychia, either diffuse or in tranverse or longitudinal bands, that may co-exist with diffuse pigmentation of the skin. Although any cytostatic agent may be involved in melanonychia, this condition appears most commonly after treatment with adriamycin and cyclophosphamide or in polychemotherapy. Leukonychia, either true or apparent, seems to be less frequent and is the reason for our reporting two patients with this colour change.