Docetaxel extravasation resulting in vesicant type skin reaction: case report

Azad, Gurdip MD, MRCP
Mukherji, Deborah BsC, MBBS, MRCP
Harper, Peter MBBS, MRCP, MRCS, LRCP

The above authors are members of staff at the Department of Medical Oncology, Guy's and St Thomas's NHS Foundation Trust, London

These key words are based on the subject headings from the British Nursing Index. This article has been subject to double-blind review

Cancer Nursing Practice 7(4):p 34-35, May 2008.

Extravasations - pain at the intravenous site and local blistering - are caused by the leakage of fluids used in chemotherapy from blood vessels into surrounding tissue. Although the condition is rare, occurring in 0.1-1 per cent of all chemotherapy treatments, it can be extremely debilitating and requires immediate intervention from those administering chemotherapy. Although not normally considered to be a vesicant (causes blistering when applied to the skin), this article adds to recent evidence that the commonly used chemotherapy drug, docetaxel, should be considered as a superficial vesicant and special precautions taken to minimise extravasation hazards.