First case in the world literature of mushroom-like achromatic pedunculated melanoma on the back after intake of (nitroso) tamsulosin: Photocarcinogenicity triggered due nitrosamine contamination in drugs as cofactor for melanoma pathogenesis

Authors

  • G. Tchernev Onkoderma – Clinic for Dermatology, Venereology and Dermatologic Surgery; Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Medical Institute of Ministry of Interior – Sofia Author
  • V. Broshtilova Department of Internal Diseases, Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, Pediatrics, Epidemiology, Infectious Diseases, and Skin Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Sofia University “Sveti Kliment Ohridski” Author
  • K. G. Tchernev Jr. Onkoderma – Clinic for Dermatology, Venereology and Dermatologic Surgery Author
  • R. Hasegawa Onkoderma – Clinic for Dermatology, Venereology and Dermatologic Surgery Author
  • S. Kordeva Onkoderma – Clinic for Dermatology, Venereology and Dermatologic Surgery Author

Keywords:

nitroso tamsulosin, achromatic pedunculated mushroom-like melanoma, drug-related phototoxicity, photo nitrosocarcinogenicity

Abstract

Drug-mediated phototoxicity and subsequent photocarcinogenicity are concepts that, until recently, remained largely ignored, and the risk of their presence and their association with skin cancer generation was underestimated. Numerous publications in world literature have linked the intake of heterogeneous classes of drugs with the development of photocarcinogenic effects, particularly the generation of melanomas (as well as keratinocytic cancers). Other studies find correlations between the intake of various types of systemic medications, contamination of these drugs with photocarcinogens (also known as nitrosamines), and the subsequent development of cutaneous melanomas. In this context, we present the first case of an achromatic, pedunculated, mushroom-like melanoma arising after intake of potentially photocarcinogen/nitrosamine-contaminated tamsulosin. The discussion focuses on drug-mediated nitrosogenesis and photonitroso carcinogenesis, addressing phototoxicity or the photodecomposition of the nitroso group under UV light.

References

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Published

20.04.2026

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Section

Case reports

How to Cite

Tchernev, G., Broshtilova, V., Tchernev Jr., K. G., Hasegawa, R., & Kordeva, S. (2026). First case in the world literature of mushroom-like achromatic pedunculated melanoma on the back after intake of (nitroso) tamsulosin: Photocarcinogenicity triggered due nitrosamine contamination in drugs as cofactor for melanoma pathogenesis. Medical Review, 62(3), 41-45. https://journals.mu-sofia.bg/index.php/mr/article/view/769