All-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) has transformed the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia. Most of the adverse effects associated with this drug are minor barring differentiation syndromes. Genital ulcers feature among the underreported adverse effects of ATRA which needs to be kept in mind to avoid life-threatening complications. We describe two cases who developed genital ulcers while treated with ATRA.
All-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) has become a landmark drug in the management of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APML). Its combination with other systemic therapy leads to the induction of complete remission in 90% cases of APML. Although differentiation syndrome (DS) is the most dreaded and life-threatening adverse effects of ATRA, a variety of other side effects such as xerosis, xerostomia, and cheilitis are also reported. Genital ulceration is one of the rare adverse effects of ATRA. Herein, we report two cases, one male and a female between the age of 36–40 years who presented to us with ATRA-induced genital ulceration.