Chemotherapy-induced iatrogenic injury of skin: new drugs and new concepts

Abstract

Chemotherapy and its cutaneous side effects are an increasingly common source of iatrogenic injury to the skin, hair, and nails. Cutaneous changes are among the most common side effects from treatment with particular targeted chemotherapeutic agents, especially those that target the epidermal growth factor receptor and small molecule multikinase inhibitors. Less common, but growing in recognition, are the development of secondary cutaneous neoplasms and subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus as a result of chemotherapy. There is considerable overlap of the multiple entities described as a side effect from conventional chemotherapeutic agents; therefore, the term "toxic erythema of chemotherapy" can be used as an easily understood name.