man without fingerprints


A cancer patient from Singapore were detained for four hours by U.S. immigration officials when they were unable to detect fingerprints, which appears to be missing due to the drug is consumed.

The incident, which was broadcast by the "Annals of Oncology", reported by the physician patient, Tan Eng Huat, who advised all patients taking the drug to carry a doctor's certificate when traveling to the United States.

Drug, "capecitabine", commonly used to treat cancer in the head and neck, breast, stomach and colorectum.

One impact is a chronic inflammation of the palms or soles of the feet and skin can be peeled off, bleeding and ulcers may arise or blistered skin, or what is known as hand-foot syndrome.


"This can increase the loss of fingerprints over time," Tan, a senior consultant in the department of medical oncology at the National Cancer Centre Singapore, explained.

The patient, 62-year-old man, suffered head and neck cancer that has spread but reacted well to chemotherapy. In order to prevent cancer recurrence, he underwent treatment using the "capecitabine".

"In December 2008, after more than three years of capecitabine treatment, he went to the United States to visit relatives," wrote Tan.

"He was detained at the airport customs for four hours because the immigration officer could not detect fingerprints. He was allowed entry after customs officials believe that he is not a threat to security. "

Tan said the loss of a fingerprint is not depicted on the packaging the drug, despite the chronic inflammation in the palms and soles of the feet rooted.

"... The top layer is the layer that contains the fingerprints, (loss of upper layer), it is something which makes the loss of fingerprints," said Tan.

"In theory, if you stop taking the drug, it will grow again but only a few details. No one knows how often these events occurred among patients taking the drug and no one knew how long a person must consume this drug before he loses his fingerprints, "said Tan

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