Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2012 May 28;31(1):50.
doi: 10.1186/1756-9966-31-50.

Chemotherapy and skin reactions

Gabriella Fabbrocini  1 , Norma Cameli, Maria Concetta Romano, Maria Mariano, Luigia Panariello, Dario Bianca, Giuseppe Monfrecola
Affiliations

Chemotherapy and skin reactions

Gabriella Fabbrocini et al. J Exp Clin Cancer Res. .

Abstract

Background: New chemotherapic agents and new protocols in oncology have led to an increasing survival rate in patients affected by tumors. However, this increased use has been accompanied by a growth in the incidence of cutaneous side effects and a worsening of patients' quality of life. Appropriate management of skin toxicity associated with chemotherapic agents is therefore necessary for suitable drug administration and to improve quality of life and clinical outcomes.

Methods: We have clinically examined 100 patients affected by cancer, determining type, frequency, treatment, and evolution of side effects related to chemotherapy.

Results: The prevalent cutaneous side effects in patients undergoing chemotherapy are skin rash, xerosis, pruritus, paronychia, hair abnormality, and mucositis. The clinical cases are reported in detail.

Conclusion: Oncological therapies have become more selective and have low systemic toxicity because of their high specificity, but cutaneous side effects are common and may worsen the quality of life of these patients.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Panitunumab-related follicular rash.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Follicular rash induced by Cetuximab.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Paronychia in a female patient treated with Lapatinib.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Fissures of the fingertips in a patient treated with taxanes.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Noushin H, Haley N, Susan B. Chemiotheraputic agents and the skin: an update. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2008;58:545–570. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2008.01.001. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Tianhong L, Roman P. Skin toxicities associated with epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors. Targ Oncol. 2009;4:107–119. doi: 10.1007/s11523-009-0114-0. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Galimont-Collen AFS, Vos LE, Lavrijsen APM, Ouwerkerkb J, Gelderblomb H. Classification and management of skin, hair and nail and mucosal side-effects of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors. Eur J Cancer. 2007;43:845–851. doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2006.11.016. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Jatoi A, Nguyen PL. Do patients die from rashes from epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors? A systematic review to help counsel patients about holding therapy. Oncologist. 2008;13:1201–1204. doi: 10.1634/theoncologist.2008-0149. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Wagner LI, Lacouture ME. Dermatologic toxicities associated with EGFR inhibitors: the clinical psychologist’s perspective. Impact on health-related quality of life and implications for clinical management of psychological sequelae. Oncology (Williston Park) 2007;21:34–36. - PubMed

Substances