Cutaneous manifestations in leukemia patients

Cutaneous complications are common in patients with leukemia. However, the cause is not always immediately clear, as there are often numerous potential etiologies. Thrombocytopenia or coagulopathy can result in ecchymoses or petechiae, whereas extramedullary (EM) involvement by leukemia can present as a rash. Leukemia can also result in skin manifestations via indirect means, including several types of paraneoplastic phenomena. Moreover, various agents routinely used to treat leukemia - most notably cytarabine (cytosine arabinoside) - can precipitate quite profound skin eruptions. Finally, infections, including fungal invasion of the skin, can be responsible for rashes, as can the vast array of antimicrobials that are administered to leukemia patients.