Chemotherapy-induced pseudocellulitis refers to a cellulitis-like eruption following chemotherapy. The majority of cases are caused by gemcitabine, followed by pemetrexed. Legs are the most common body site affected, although the abdomen and/or pelvis may be affected as well.
Unlike patients with cellulitis, there is absence of fever, absence of leukocytosis, negative blood culture, and a history of drug administration typically 12 hours to several days prior to eruption. Unlike cellulitis, chemotherapy-induced pseudocellulitis may be bilateral rather than unilateral.
The eruption typically resolves spontaneously without antibiotic therapy.
Chemotherapy-induced pseudocellulitis
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Synopsis
Codes
ICD10CM:
L03.90 – Cellulitis, unspecified
T50.995A – Adverse effect of other drugs, medicaments and biological substances, initial encounter
SNOMEDCT:
128482007 – Acute inflammatory disease
278993004 – Drug-induced
L03.90 – Cellulitis, unspecified
T50.995A – Adverse effect of other drugs, medicaments and biological substances, initial encounter
SNOMEDCT:
128482007 – Acute inflammatory disease
278993004 – Drug-induced
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Last Reviewed:08/27/2025
Last Updated:08/27/2025
Last Updated:08/27/2025
Chemotherapy-induced pseudocellulitis