Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research |- Chemotherapy and skin reactions

Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research  Chemotherapy and skin reactions

Research

Chemotherapy and skin reactions

The complete article is available as a provisional PDF. The fully formatted PDF and HTML versions are in production.

 Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research 2012

Published: 28 May 2012

Abstract (provisional)

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.

The complete article is available as a provisional PDF. The fully formatted PDF and HTML versions are in production.