Abstract
We carried out an experimental study using rats to investigate the characteristics of skin lesions induced by extravasation of anticancer drugs. We used four types of anticancer drug: asparaginase, which is a non- vesicant drug; cisplatin, which is an irritant drug; and mitomycin and vinblastine; both of which are vesicant drugs. The skin lesions induced by extravasation of these drugs were studied macroscopically, microscopically, and hematochemically. The results revealed clear differences in skin lesions between mitomycin and vinblastine. Although both are vesicant drugs, the lesions produced by mitomycin were noted in the deep skin tissue, whereas the lesions produced by vinblastine were located in superficial areas of the skin. findings indicated that two types of skin lesions were induced by vesicant drugs: macroscopically visible lesions and non-visible ones. The visible skin lesions were easily recognized by physical examination, whereas the non-visible ones were not. The skin lesions induced by asparaginase and cisplatin were milder in degree than those induced by mitomycin and vinblastine.
These findings suggest that macroscopic observation cannot always reveal the whole skin lesons induced by extravasation of antitumor drugs. There fore, detailed skin examination is necessary if extravasation of these drugs occurs.
