Chondritis of the ear after docetaxel–carboplatin chemotherapy

Abstract

Docetaxel, derived from the yew tree, belongs to the taxane family of medications. It works by disrupting the normal function of microtubules, thereby stopping cell division. Docetaxel is used in the treatment of ovarian, breast, esophageal, gastric, prostate, lung, and head and neck cancers. Common side effects include hair loss, low blood cell counts, peripheral neuropathy, vomiting, and muscle pain. Auricular chondritis with ear deformity has not been reported previously as a side effect of docetaxel. In this paper, we present the case of a 64-year-old male patient with chondritis accompanied by ear deformity that developed due to docetaxel–carboplatin chemotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer.