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Tamoxifen-related porphyria cutanea tarda

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Abstract

We report a case of porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) in a patient with breast cancer following adjuvant tamoxifen. Cessation of tamoxifen resulted in a prompt decline in urinary porphyrins suggestive of a causative role. Tamoxifen is known to be hepatotoxic; however, its association with PCT is unclear. In this report, we discuss the porphyrinogenicity of tamoxifen and potential mechanisms.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Section of Medicine, Institute of Cancer Research, SM2 5PT, Sutton, Surrey, United Kingdom

    R. Agarwal

  2. Department of Clinical Biochemistry, King’s College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, United Kingdom

    T. J. Peters

  3. Department of Medical Oncology, Charing Cross Hospital, Hammersmith, London, United Kingdom

    R. C. Coombes & D. M. Vigushin

Authors
  1. R. Agarwal
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  2. T. J. Peters
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  3. R. C. Coombes
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  4. D. M. Vigushin
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Correspondence to R. Agarwal.

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Agarwal, R., Peters, T.J., Coombes, R.C. et al. Tamoxifen-related porphyria cutanea tarda. Med Oncol 19, 121–123 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1385/MO:19:2:121

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/MO:19:2:121

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