Extravasation of paclitaxel (TAXOL®) -: Clinical course

Background: Clinical information on paclitaxel extravasation is scarce. A clinical course following paclitaxel extravasation is reported with an overview of the literature. Case Report: A 74-year-old male patient with small-cell lung cancer mistakenly received approximately 100 mi of a subcutaneous infusion containing approximately 60 mg of paclitaxel. A severe cutaneous reaction was seen within 30 min, followed by a systemic reaction with dizziness on day 2, fever and hypotension on day 5, and leuko- and thrombocytopenia on day 10. Sclerosis, hyperpigmentation, and neuropathic pain developed in the forearm and slowly subsided within 6-8 months. Conclusion: Paclitaxel extravasation may cause severe cutaneous and rarely even systemic reversible reactions. Paclitaxel must be considered a vesicant.