Related Experiment Videos

[Cutaneous side effects of medical tumor therapy]

A Degen1, M Alter, F Schenck

  • 1Klinik für Dermatologie, Allergologie und Venerologie, Hauttumorzentrum Hannover (HTZH), Medizinische Hochschule Hannover. degen.annette@mh-hannover.de

Der Hautarzt; Zeitschrift Fur Dermatologie, Venerologie, Und Verwandte Gebiete
|April 20, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Medical tumor therapies can cause unique skin side effects like hand-foot syndrome and papulopustular exanthems. Recognizing these cutaneous reactions is crucial for continuing effective cancer treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Dermatology
  • Pharmacology

Context:

  • Medical tumor therapies, especially novel targeted agents, are linked to specific dermatological adverse events.
  • EGFR inhibitors can cause papulopustular exanthems, while BRAF inhibitors are associated with epithelial skin cancers.

Purpose:

  • To review the clinical presentation, pathogenesis, and management of common cutaneous side effects from cancer therapies.
  • To highlight the importance of identifying and managing these skin reactions to ensure treatment continuity.

Summary:

  • This review details hand-foot syndrome, papulopustular exanthems, epithelial skin cancers, paronychia, and hair/nail changes as side effects of medical tumor therapies.
  • It covers their clinical features, underlying mechanisms, and therapeutic strategies.

Impact:

  • Early recognition and management of these cutaneous side effects can prevent treatment interruption or discontinuation.
  • Some skin reactions correlate with improved therapeutic benefit, underscoring their clinical significance.

Related Concept Videos

Skin Cancer01:30

Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is a type of cancer that occurs when there is an abnormal growth of skin cells, usually triggered by damage to the DNA within the skin cells. It is primarily caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or artificial sources like tanning beds. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer worldwide, and its incidence continues to rise.
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. It typically develops in...
Tumor Immunotherapy01:27

Tumor Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts or manipulates the immune system to fight diseases, including cancer. For instance, by stimulating an immune response through vaccinations against viruses that cause cancers, like hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, these diseases can be prevented. Nonetheless, some cancer cells can avoid the immune system due to their rapid mutation and division. The immune response to many cancers involves three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape.
Cancer Therapies02:49

Cancer Therapies

Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
Cancer Therapies02:49

Cancer Therapies

Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
Skin Diseases and Disorders01:23

Skin Diseases and Disorders

Skin is the first line of defense and encounters a variety of microbes. Some pathogenic strains are often the cause of a broad range of infections of the skin and other body systems. These conditions can affect people of all ages and may have different causes, including genetic factors, infections, autoimmune reactions, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices.
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...