Thalidomide-Induced Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis

Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is a severe dermatologic disorder associated with mortality of up to 30%. Withdrawal of the causative agent is crucial in its management. Although thalidomide‐induced dermatologic disorders rarely were reported before thalidomide was administered to patients positive for the human immunodeficiency virus, hypersensitivity reactions including rash are the agent's major dose‐limiting toxicities in this population. As it is prescribed for other immunosuppressed patients, such as those with malignancies, the frequency of dermatologic reactions (including TEN) may increase. A 62‐year‐old woman developed TEN after approximately 5 weeks of thalidomide therapy for the treatment of a glioblastoma.