Dermatologic Adverse Events from Cancer Treatments

October 2018 in “ Springer eBooks ”

Jennifer Wu, Alina Markova, Mario E. Lacouture

chemotherapy-induced alopecia EGFR inhibitors topical therapies systemic therapies dose reduction discontinuation early diagnosis proper management CIA

TLDR Cancer treatments can cause skin-related side effects that may affect patient quality of life and require changes in treatment.

The document from October 20, 2018, details the range of dermatologic adverse events (dAEs) that can occur as a result of cancer treatments, including effects on skin, hair, nails, and mucous membranes. These dAEs can significantly impact a patient's quality of life and may necessitate changes in cancer treatment regimens. Specific dAEs such as chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA), which affects 65% of patients, and skin reactions from EGFR inhibitors, affecting 75–90% of patients, are highlighted. The document also discusses the management of these dAEs, with strategies including preventive measures and both topical and systemic therapies. For severe cases, dose reduction or discontinuation of the cancer treatment may be necessary. The importance of early diagnosis and proper management of dAEs is emphasized to optimize anticancer response and maintain patient quality of life.

View this study on link.springer.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

19 / 19 results

Permanent Alopecia in Patients with Breast Cancer After Taxane Chemotherapy and Adjuvant Hormonal Therapy: Clinicopathologic Findings in a Cohort of 10 Patients

research Permanent Alopecia in Patients with Breast Cancer After Taxane Chemotherapy and Adjuvant Hormonal Therapy: Clinicopathologic Findings in a Cohort of 10 Patients

31 citations, March 2017 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Some breast cancer patients developed permanent hair loss after chemotherapy and hormonal therapy, showing patterns similar to common baldness and alopecia areata.

research Janus Kinase Inhibitors in Dermatology: A Systematic Review

116 citations, February 2017 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

JAK inhibitors help with skin conditions but need more research on dosing and safety.

research JAK Inhibitors in Dermatology: The Promise of a New Drug Class

355 citations, January 2017 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

JAK inhibitors show promise for treating skin conditions like eczema, hair loss, and psoriasis.

research Dermatological Adverse Events with Taxane Chemotherapy

141 citations, September 2016 in “European Journal of Dermatology”

Taxane chemotherapy can cause skin, hair, and nail side effects, which are often under-reported and can affect patient quality of life.

research Characterization and Management of Hedgehog Pathway Inhibitor-Related Adverse Events in Patients With Advanced Basal Cell Carcinoma

127 citations, August 2016 in “The oncologist”

Understanding and managing side effects of hedgehog pathway inhibitors can improve treatment for advanced basal cell carcinoma.

research Differential Diagnosis of Female-Pattern Hair Loss

3 citations, January 2016 in “Skin appendage disorders”

Possible causes of female hair loss include androgenetic alopecia, telogen effluvium, cicatricial alopecia, and alopecia areata incognita; diagnosis and treatment require dermoscopy and histopathology.

research Alopecia in Patients Treated with Molecularly Targeted Anticancer Therapies

44 citations, September 2015 in “Annals of Oncology”

Targeted cancer therapies have a significant but lower risk of causing hair loss compared to chemotherapy.

research Management of Dermatologic Toxicities

12 citations, May 2015 in “Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network”

Doctors should actively prevent and treat skin side effects in cancer patients to keep them on the best medication and reduce discomfort.

research Dermatologic Adverse Events in Pediatric Patients Receiving Targeted Anticancer Therapies: A Pooled Analysis

26 citations, February 2015 in “Pediatric blood & cancer”

Targeted anticancer therapies in children often cause skin side effects like rash and dry skin.

Long-Term Safety and Efficacy of Bimatoprost Solution 0.03% Application to the Eyelid Margin for the Treatment of Idiopathic and Chemotherapy-Induced Eyelash Hypotrichosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

research Long-Term Safety and Efficacy of Bimatoprost Solution 0.03% Application to the Eyelid Margin for the Treatment of Idiopathic and Chemotherapy-Induced Eyelash Hypotrichosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

38 citations, October 2014 in “British journal of dermatology/British journal of dermatology, Supplement”

Bimatoprost solution is effective and safe for long-term use in treating eyelash thinning.

research Efficacy and Tolerability of Two Scalp Cooling Systems for the Prevention of Alopecia Associated with Docetaxel Treatment

52 citations, May 2013 in “Supportive Care in Cancer”

Scalp cooling significantly reduces hair loss in chemotherapy patients.

research Dermatologic Adverse Events Associated With Afatinib: An Oral ErbB Family Blocker

87 citations, March 2013 in “Expert Review of Anticancer Therapy”

Afatinib often causes skin problems that need proactive management.

Hair Shaft Abnormalities After Chemotherapy and Tamoxifen Therapy in Patients With Breast Cancer Evaluated by Optical Coherence Tomography

research Hair Shaft Abnormalities After Chemotherapy and Tamoxifen Therapy in Patients With Breast Cancer Evaluated by Optical Coherence Tomography

16 citations, October 2012 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Chemotherapy can cause significant hair thinning and changes in hair texture, while tamoxifen has a smaller effect.

Permanent Scalp Alopecia Related to Breast Cancer Chemotherapy by Sequential Fluorouracil/Epirubicin/Cyclophosphamide (FEC) and Docetaxel: A Prospective Study of 20 Patients

research Permanent Scalp Alopecia Related to Breast Cancer Chemotherapy by Sequential Fluorouracil/Epirubicin/Cyclophosphamide (FEC) and Docetaxel: A Prospective Study of 20 Patients

68 citations, May 2012 in “Annals of Oncology”

Some breast cancer chemotherapy can cause permanent hair loss.

research Permanent Alopecia After Systemic Chemotherapy: A Clinicopathological Study of 10 Cases

57 citations, March 2011 in “The American Journal of Dermatopathology”

Chemotherapy can cause permanent, non-reversible hair loss similar to pattern baldness.

research Permanent Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia: Case Report and Review of the Literature

67 citations, May 2010 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Some chemotherapy can cause permanent hair loss.

research Irreversible And Severe Alopecia Following Docetaxel Or Paclitaxel Cytotoxic Therapy For Breast Cancer

61 citations, April 2009 in “British journal of dermatology/British journal of dermatology, Supplement”

Docetaxel and paclitaxel for breast cancer can cause permanent, severe hair loss.

Chemotherapy-Induced Dermatological Toxicity: Frequencies and Impact on Quality of Life in Women’s Cancers. Results of a Prospective Study

research Chemotherapy-Induced Dermatological Toxicity: Frequencies and Impact on Quality of Life in Women’s Cancers. Results of a Prospective Study

76 citations, August 2007 in “Supportive care in cancer”

Chemotherapy often causes skin, nail, and hair side effects, significantly impacting quality of life.

research Chemotherapy-Induced Anagen Effluvium: Diffuse or Patterned?

28 citations, January 2007 in “Dermatology”

Chemotherapy can cause rapid, extensive hair loss, with patterns varying between individuals.

Similar Research

5 / 1000+ results

research Hair Disorders in Patients with Cancer

53 citations, April 2018 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Cancer treatments often cause hair disorders, significantly affecting patients' quality of life, and better management methods are needed.

Toxic Side Effects of Targeted Therapies and Immunotherapies Affecting the Skin, Oral Mucosa, Hair, and Nails

research Hair Changes Due to Drugs

July 2018 in “Elsevier eBooks”

Some drugs can cause reversible hair loss, but certain chemotherapy drugs may lead to permanent hair loss; drugs can also change hair color and texture.