Background: Hydroxyurea (HU) is an antineoplastic drug commonly used to treat chronic myeloproliferative disorders. Dermatological side effects are frequent and usually benign. Leg ulceration following HU therapy is less common.
Aim: To describe epidemioclinical and therapeutic features of leg ulcers induced by HU.
Case report: A 70-year-old woman is treated with hydroxyurea for polycythemia vera. One year later; she presented with a malleolar painful ulcer, initially healed without discontinuation of the treatment, but has been recurred 2 months later, becoming multiple and bilateral. HU has been discontinued and ulcers were completely cured.
Conclusion: Leg ulcers induced by hydroxyurea are rare. Pathogenesis of HU-induced ulcers remains unknown and is multi factorial. Discontinuation of treatment is still the option of choice for complete recovery.