Ann Dermatol.  2011 Nov;23(4):526-528.

Black Hairy Tongue Associated with Erlotinib Treatment in a Patient with Advanced Lung Cancer

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine and Medical Research Institute, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Korea. tyyoon@chungbuk.ac.kr
  • 2Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine and Medical Research Institute, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Korea.

Abstract

Erlotinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor that acts on the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). There have been many reports of the mucocutaneous side effects related to several EGFR inhibitors (EGFRIs). However, no case of black hairy tongue (BHT) associated with EGFRI has been reported. Herein, we report the first case of erlotinib-induced BHT in a 61-year-old man with advanced lung cancer. Considering recent use of EGFRIs worldwide, dermatologists should recognize the possible occurrence of BHT associated with EGFRIs such as erlotinib.

Keyword

Black hairy tongue; Epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor; Erlotinib

MeSH Terms

Butylated Hydroxytoluene
Humans
Lung
Lung Neoplasms
Middle Aged
Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
Quinazolines
Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor
Tongue, Hairy
Erlotinib Hydrochloride
Butylated Hydroxytoluene
Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
Quinazolines
Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor
Tongue, Hairy

Figure

  • Fig. 1 A black discoloration with a hairy appearance on the dorsal surface of the tongue.


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