Assessment of demodex presence in acne-like rash associated with cetuximab.

CONTEXT: Cetuximab is an epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor. It is frequently used in the treatment of solid tumors. However, it has a high potential to cause acne-like rash. Demodex mites, which are known to increase in number in immunosuppressive circumstances, are closely related to the acneiform lesions. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the presence of demodex mites in acne-like rash that appears under the treatment of Cetuximab. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of patients who applied to our clinic with cetuximab induced papulopustular rashes between November 2014 and March 2016. Demodex sampling was performed by standardized skin surface biopsy (SSSB) in a total of 11 patients (eight males and three females). Infestation was defined as at least 5 living parasites/cm2 of skin. RESULTS: Upon the SSSB examination in 10 out of the 11 patients, no demodex mites were detected. Demodex mites were found in only one of the patients. This patient, in whom two dead Demodex folliculorums were found through facial sampling, was also regarded as negative since his demodex density was under the threshold limit value. CONCLUSION: In this study, it has been concluded that acne-like rash that develops under the treatment of cetuximab is not related to the presence of demodex mites. Papulopustular eruptions that develop under cetuximab treatment should not be directly correlated with the presence of demodex; first SSSB and demodex presence should be evaluated.

Mycosis Fungoides: A 10-year Turkish Experience.

Mycosis fungoides is the most common primary cutaneous T cell lymphoma, characterized by erythematous patches and plaque lesions with slow progression to cutaneous tumors or extracutaneous involvements in some patients. We aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics, treatment responses, disease courses, and mortality rates of our MF cases. The data of 100 patients with MF were retrospectively examined from medical records in our clinic between January 2005 and January 2015. Demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients, disease stage, treatment protocols, response to treatment, recurrence, progression, and mortality rates were recorded. The male to female ratio in patients was 1.2. Mean age at onset of disease was 46, and duration of disease ranged from one to 42 years. At time of diagnosis 31 patients were at stage 1A, 31 at stage 1B, 30 at stage 2A, 2 at stage 2B, 1 at stage 3, and 5 at stage 4. Stable disease was observed in 35% of patients, progression in 10%, relapse in 27%, and complete response in 28%. Large cell transformation was found in 3 patients and additional malignity in 11. Thirty-seven patients (37%) were still surviving disease-free. 10 patients had died, three of them due to disease-related conditions. The most common first-line therapy in our study was phototherapy. It was applied to 87% of patients from stage 1A. Our results are generally consistent with current literature, but disease progression and disease-specific mortality rates were significantly lower than the literature, probably due to early phototherapy.