Toxic erythema of chemotherapy – a unifying concept

Toxic erythema of chemotherapy (TEC) is a term that encompasses a number of entities including: acral erythrodysesthesia, eccrine squamous syringometaplasia, epidermal dysmaturation, intertriginous eruption associated with chemotherapy, chemotherapy-induced hidradenitis, and pseudocellulitis or erysipeloid reaction due to chemotherapy. The key to the clinical approach to TEC is its recognition and the avoidance of misdiagnoses such as hypersensitivity reactions (e.g. to antibiotics), GVHD, cutaneous vasculitis, toxic epidermal necrolysis, and cutaneous infections. As a result, further immunosuppression is avoided.