Necrotizing dermatitis in patients receiving cancer chemotherapy

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Cancer chemotherapy drugs are very potent, and thus, skin complications in patients receiving these agents are not unusual. Drug-induced immunosuppression may lower a patient's natural barriers to bacterial and fungal invasion, and the antineoplastic drugs themselves can be toxic, especially in strong concentrations. In addition, the blood supply to the skin may be compromised by tumor. The authors discuss these problems and others and provide colored photographs of several types of dermatitis that may progress to necrosis.