Genital ulcer development in patients with acute promyelocytic leukaemia treated with all-trans retinoic acid: a case series

ABSTRACT

We report here four cases of genital ulcers that developed after the administration of all-trans retinoic acid [ATRA] for the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia [APL]. Between October 2007 and March 2010, three males and one female [age range 19-35 years] were identified to have genital ulcers after being prescribed all-trans retinoic acid [ATRA] as a part of chemotherapy for APL. This is the first series of cases describing genital ulcers, as a unique and rare complication of ATRA used for treatment of APL in these patients, with no other cause identified. Following temporary cessation of ATRA for a few days in these three cases, improvement of the ulcers was noted