Skin toxicity

Abstract

It has been suggested that skin symptoms may cause psychological distress associated with change in appearance, and affect patients' quality of life (QOL). Also, there is a correlation between the severity of skin disorder resulting from treatment with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors (cetuximab, panitumumab, erlotinib) and their clinical effects. Treatment with EGFR inhibitors needs to be continued as long as possible while treatment-related skin symptoms are managed appropriately. Adherence to this approach will benefit the patients. Daily self-skin care (keeping the skin surface clean, maintaining moisture retention, and preventing irritation) is the most important countermeasure for hand-foot syndrome resulting from oral administration of fluorinated pyrimidine anticancer drugs (capecitabine, S-1). An early introduction of effective countermeasures including dose reduction/establishment in the rest period is essential for management of such syndrome.