What Researchers Did
Researchers described the case of a 75-year-old woman with polycythemia vera who developed a large post-operative cutaneous ulcer while on hydroxyurea therapy.
What They Found
The patient, who had been treated with 500mg hydroxyurea daily for six years, developed erythema and necrosis two days after a hernioplasty, which progressed to a 22x15cm ulcer on her lower abdomen. The ulcer significantly decreased in size following the termination of hydroxyurea.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian patients taking hydroxyurea who experience unusual skin changes or non-healing wounds after surgery should promptly inform their healthcare provider. Early recognition and potential discontinuation of hydroxyurea may help prevent severe complications like large cutaneous ulcers.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection as it describes a case from another country.
Study Limitations
As a single case report, the findings may not be generalizable to all patients taking hydroxyurea.