Eyelash Trichomegaly Research Articles

Trichomegaly of the Eyelashes After Colorectal Cancer Treatment With the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Inhibitor Cetuximab

A 67-year-old man began treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) with 5-fluorourcail (5-FU), oxaliplatin, and cetuximab (a monoclonal antibody [MoAb] to epidermal growth factor receptor [EGFR]). Eight years previously, he had been diagnosed with localized rectal cancer that was treated with neoadjuvant radiation therapy, surgical anterior resection, and adjuvant chemotherapy with 5-FU/leucovorin (LV). He was diagnosed with a single lung metastasis 5 years later that was treated with surgical resection followed by adjuvant 5-FU/LV chemotherapy. Follow-up imaging 3 years later revealed malignant mediastinal lymphadenopathy for which he was started on his current chemotherapeutic regimen. Three weeks after starting cetuximab, he noticed abnormal growth of his eyelashes. They became lengthened and curly, with increased thickness (Figures 1 and 2). Despite the unusual appearance, the growth did not trouble him. He also noticed mild increased hair growth in his truncal region and a grade 1 facial acneiform rash. His only regular medication was oral minocycline for the rash. He has continued treatment for the past year with stabilization of his disease. Both cetuximab and panitumumab are MoAbs specific to EGFR that are used in the treatment of metastatic CRC. Both can cause skin and hair toxicity, including acneiform rash, dry skin, paronychial inflammation, and hypertrichosis. In one series of 17 patients treated with cetuximab, acneiform rash occurred in 82%, dry skin in 59%, paronychial inflammation in 29%, and altered hair growth in 18%.1 EGFR is highly expressed in the epidermis and hair follicle epithelium, which probably explains this.2 Cetuximab-associated trichomegaly is uncommon, with only 8 confirmed reports in the literature.1-7 Trichomegaly is not usually problematic but can be complicated by trichiasis and secondary corneal ulceration, so patients who complain of eye irritation should be treated by an ophthalmologist. Simple trimming and epilation are appropriate therapeutic modalities.8 It is unknown whether the occurrence of eyelash trichomegaly is associated with clinical response to EGFR inhibitors. With increas

Cutaneous side-effects in patients on long-term treatment with epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors

Acute and subacute cutaneous side-effects of epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors (EGFRIs) are very frequent and well known. Much less is known about the chronic cutaneous effects of these drugs and about their potential psychosocial impact on patients. We performed a retrospective study of patients treated with EGFRIs for more than 6 months. All patients had a detailed dermatological examination. The primary cancer, associated chemotherapies, skin treatment, evolution of skin symptoms and their impact on quality of life (QoL) as evaluated by the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) were noted. Seven men and nine women were identified. The mean length of EGFRI treatment was 10 months (range 6-27). At the time of examination, all patients (100%) had cutaneous side-effects. Grade I or II folliculitis was found in 37.5% of the patients. Additional skin manifestations were xerosis (100%), mucositis (69%), hair abnormalities (87.5%), eyelash trichomegaly (62.5%), facial hypertrichosis (56%), painful paronychia (56%) and onycholysis (44%). Dose reduction or EGFRI discontinuation for skin toxicity were needed in six patients (37.5%). DLQI evaluation showed a moderate to strong impact on QoL in four patients (25%). Cutaneous side-effects are found in 100% of patients treated with EGFRIs for more than 6 months and have a significant effect on patients' QoL. The clinical spectrum of skin manifestation varies over time. As the use of EGFRIs rapidly increases, it is critical for us to improve our knowledge in the understanding and managment of these skin manifestations.

Trichomegaly of the eyelashes following treatment with cetuximab

Trichomegaly of the eyelashes following treatment with cetuximab

Eyelash Trichomegaly Associated With Systemic Tacrolimus

Eyelash Trichomegaly Associated With Systemic Tacrolimus

Acquired eyelash trichomegaly and generalized hypertrichosis associated with breast anomaly

Acquired eyelash trichomegaly is a rare condition. We present a 23-year-old woman with acquired trichomegaly and generalized hypertrichosis from childhood. The patient also exhibited bilateral nipple retraction and unilateral left-sided accessory nipple. According to our knowledge the association between trichomegaly, hypertrichosis, and breast anomaly has not been reported.

Trichomegaly of the eyelashes following treatment with cetuximab

Trichomegaly of the eyelashes following treatment with cetuximab

Eyelash length in HIV-infected patients.

Acquired trichomegaly of the eyelashes in HIV-infected patients usually appears at the late stage of HIV infection. Eyelash length was measured in a series of 204 HIV patients, and no correlation with CD4 cell count, viral load, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention category, and AIDS case criteria was established. Our data support the finding that eyelash trichomegaly is currently uncommon in HIV-infected patients, perhaps because of antiretroviral therapy or an improvement in their immune situation.