To the Editor.—
Bleomycin sulfate is a cytostatic antibiotic that is extensively used in cancer therapy. It is often included in protocols of polychemotherapy with cisdiamino-platinum for the treatment of testicular dysembryomas and head and neck tumors. Among the frequent side effects of bleomycin is bandlike cutaneous pigmentation.In a series of 15 patients treated with polychemotherapy, including bleomycin sulfate (effective dose, 160 mg), we noted that ten of them developed cutaneous pigmented stripes. Such skin lesions are classic, although there was no pruritus noted in our patients, contrary to data presented in the literature. There were no other side effects on skin, mucous membrane, hair, or nails, nor were there any visceral lesions (eg, in the lung).These cutaneous lesions were isolated. There was no pigmentation of the palmar flexure lines as well as none of the other commonly described lesions such as tender sclerodermalike infiltration of the extremities,