Invasive cutaneous fungal infections requiring radical resection in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy

J Surg Oncol. 2004 Oct 1;88(1):21-26. doi: 10.1002/jso.20115.

Abstract

Invasive fungal infections have emerged as a significant problem in patients with cancer with the development of better systemic therapies for malignancy and more effective antibacterial agents. The currently available world published medical literature was reviewed on invasive fungal infections in cancer patients with specific attention devoted to the multidisciplinary role of surgery in refractory cutaneous cases. Infections can develop on the forearm where peripheral intravenous catheters had been inserted in cancer patients undergoing cytotoxic chemotherapy. Curative intent begins with systemic contemporary anti-fungal therapy. Following resolution of neutropenia, patients may require radical surgical debridement with negative margins of resection for complete eradication of the fungal infection. Although invasive fungal infections refractory to antifungal systemic therapy in immunocompromised patients undergoing chemotherapy are a rare event, it is critical for surgeons and other multidisciplinary clinicians to recognize these potentially life-threatening infections that may necessitate radical surgical resection for cure.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / adverse effects*
  • Arm
  • Bone Marrow Transplantation
  • Dermatomycoses / drug therapy
  • Dermatomycoses / etiology*
  • Dermatomycoses / microbiology
  • Dermatomycoses / pathology
  • Dermatomycoses / surgery*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / drug therapy
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / therapy
  • Male
  • Neutropenia / etiology

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents