Chemotherapy-Associated Tongue Hyperpigmentation and Blue Lunula

February 2013 | Volume 12 | Issue 2 | Case Reports | 223 | Copyright © February 2013


Kathleen M. Casamiquela BAa and Philip R. Cohen MDa-c

aDepartment of Dermatology, The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, TX bHealth Center, University of Houston, Houston, TX cDepartment of Dermatology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX

table 1
tion while on chemotherapy. MSH increases cyclic adenosine monophosphate and tyrosine within melanocytes; subsequently, these elevated levels of tyrosine may stimulate the increased production of melanin.3
Interferon-α is used in the treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia. It is also used in the treatment of hepatitis C in combination with ribavirin. It has been postulated that it has the same mechanism of action as doxorubicin, increasing the expression of MSH. It cannot be excluded that ribavirin, which was concurrently used in the patients being treated for hepatitis C, contributed to the development of lingual hyperpigmentation.4
The lunula is the moon-shaped visible white portion of the distal nail matrix. Blue lunula is more readily observed on the digits of the hand and most readily observed on the thumbs.
table 2
Blue lunula has been caused by congenital disorders, drugs, heavy metals, and as an idiopathic occurrence (Tables 2 and 3).
Drug-associated blue lunula has been observed not only after the administration of antineoplastic agents, but also after treatment with other medications such as minocycline, phenolphthalein, and zidovudine (Table 3). Similar to our patient, individual reports describe patients who developed blue lunula while receiving treatment with combination chemotherapy. To the best of our knowledge, none of these patients also had hyperpigmentation of the tongue.
Close Menu