Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis Induced by Phenytoin and Whole Brain Radiotherapy

Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) and Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) have been associated with some drugs, particularly anticonvulsants such as phenytoin. Some authors have pointed out an increased risk of TEN/SJS when phenytoin is associated with whole brain radiotherapy. We report a patient diagnosed with breast adenocarcinoma and brain metastases that was on treatment with phenytoin and, shortly after receiving whole brain radiotherapy, developed toxic epidermal necrolysis.