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The Role of Skin Care in Oncology Patients
- 5min
- Dec. 2020
- Supported by
More and more Canadians are living with cancer, and while mortality rates have decreased, there is an increasing concern of skin toxicities due to anticancer treatments, as they often go unanticipated by the patient and practitioner. These skin side effects can have a severe impact on the quality of life of your cancer patients, thus affecting treatment outcomes.1
Various common cancer treatments include:
- Radiation treatment or Radiotherapy
- Almost 50% of patients are treated with it, with 95% of them experience radiation-induced skin side effects.1
- Chemotherapy
- A recent study showed that 38.4% of subjects on chemotherapy experience skin-toxicities due to the treatment.2
- Immunotherapy1
- Rash and pruritus are the most common skin side effect observed.1
- Targeted Therapy1
- Where several molecular inhibitors can cause acneiform/papulopustular eruptions in sebaceous areas (scalp, face, upper trunk).1
- Hormonal Therapy1
- Most common in breast cancer patients, where therapies (ex. SERMs) can cause reversible alopecia, flushing, amongst other side effects.1
Prevention and Management
An expert panel of clinicians treating oncology patients convened for a literature review on the role of skincare in cancer-treatment related skin toxicities.
The panel recommends the use of simple skincare regimen prior and during treatment focused on a gentle cleanser, a moisturizer and a sunscreen may reduce skin toxicities.1
Reference:
1. Sauder, M. B., Lynde, C. W., Teague, L., Kalia, S., Iannattone, L., Hijal, T., Feugas, N., Claveau, J., Butler, M., Andriessen, A., & Addona, M. (2020, October). The Role of Skincare in Oncology Patients. https://www.skintherapyletter.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/STL-Supp-SkinCareOnc-v2-correction.pdf. (edited by Dr. Richard Thomas)
2. Biswal SG, Mehta RD. Cutaneous Adverse Reactions of Chemotherapy in Cancer Patients: A Clinicoepidemiological Study. Indian J Dermatol. Jan-Feb 2018;63(1):41-6.