Flagellate dermatitis: Complication of Bleomycin Therapy – A Case Report

Chemotherapy-induced skin rashes are common toxicities, which require careful assessment and evaluation. Bleomycin is an anticancer antibiotic derived from Streptomyces verticillus and has been commonly used in the treatment of hodgkin disease, germ cell tumors and for pleurodesis. Flagellate dermatitis caused by bleomycin is a rare side effect with a distinctive pattern of whip-like, linear streaks. We present a case of 27 year old male, diagnosed with seminoma of right testis, post right high inguinal orchiectomy, managed with 3 cycles of adjuvant bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin (BEP), later developed a widespread rash indicative of classic flagellate dermatitis.