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Prevention of tissue necrosis due to accidental extravasation of cytostatic drugs by a conservative approach

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  • Tissue Necrosis, Extravasation, Cytostatic Drugs
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Summary

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate comparatively the effectiveness of a conservative approach to treatment, using two therapeutic schedules (with and without sodium thiosulfate (ST), so as to minimize necrosis due to drug extravasation and to avoid the need for reconstructive surgery. The 63 patients entered into this study were seperated into two groups; these in group A were treated with hydrocortisone and dexamethasone, and these in group B received the combination plus ST. In both groups, the drugs that had extravasated included doxorubicin, epirubicin, vinblastine, mitomycin C. The healing time varied with the different drugs used and was proportional to the extent of extravasation and to the time at which therapy was begun. The mean healing time for group B, which received ST was about half that for group A, which did not. We conclude that the application of conservative measures during chemotherapy may prevent tissue necrosis due to drug extravasation and the subsequent need for reconstructive surgery. The administration of ST can help in the achievement of this goal.

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Author notes

  1. N. B. Tsavaris

    Present address: School of Medicine, Pathologic Physiology, Laiko Hospital, University of Athens, 115 27, Athens, Greece

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Second Department of Medical Oncology “Metaxa” Cancer Hospital, 51 Botassi Str., 185 37, Piraeus, Greece

    N. B. Tsavaris, P. Komitsopoulou, P. Karagiaouris, P. Loukatou, I. Tzannou, N. Mylonakis & P. Kosmidis

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  1. N. B. Tsavaris
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  2. P. Komitsopoulou
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  3. P. Karagiaouris
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  4. P. Loukatou
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  5. I. Tzannou
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  6. N. Mylonakis
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  7. P. Kosmidis
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Tsavaris, N.B., Komitsopoulou, P., Karagiaouris, P. et al. Prevention of tissue necrosis due to accidental extravasation of cytostatic drugs by a conservative approach. Cancer Chemother. Pharmacol. 30, 330–333 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00686305

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00686305

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