Toxic erythema of chemotherapy following leukemia cutis

A 56-year-old Caucasian male newly diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) M3 presented with a six-week history of multiple painful erythematous nodules scattered on his trunk and extremities, previously treated as abscesses with incision and drainage plus oral trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole without improvement. A punch biopsy was performed, and the histopathology and immunostaining profile were compatible with leukemia cutis secondary to AML. Induction chemotherapy for AML with cytarabine, etoposide, and mitoxantrone was initiated. Dermatology was reconsulted two weeks later for evaluation and treatment of a new eruption on both dorsal hands and wrists that began three days after starting induction chemotherapy. On physical exam, there were well-demarcated erythematous patches and plaques with mild induration on the hands, extending onto the distal forearms and sparing the dorsal metacarpalphalangeal joints and ventral wrists. Biopsy findings were consistent with toxic erythema of chemotherapy, likely secondary to cytarabine.