Severe Photo Toxicity Recalled by Docetaxel

Abstract

Photo-recall phenomenon is a rarely recognized adverse event of chemotherapeutic agents. The physiopathology of this entity is unclear. We have reported a 56-year old breast cancer patient with severe photo toxicity recalled 5 months after the initial sunburn by one course of adjuvant docetaxel treatment. However, being given right diagnosis and proper managements the patient could be able to complete her adjuvant chemotherapy according to the planed time schedule, without any delay. Our case may be explained by the theory that long-lived memory T-cells may remember former skin damage and cross-react with cytotoxic drugs. In addition, we have proved that weekly paclitaxel can still be the drug of option after docetaxel recalled severe photo toxicity.