Cutaneous adverse events in patients receiving anticancer therapy in a tertiary hospital setting: the old and the new.

BACKGROUND

Targeted therapies and immunotherapies are increasingly prescribed, but classic chemotherapy agents are still highly used in cancer treatment. Both therapies, the old and the new, are associated with cutaneous adverse events (CAEs) that can cause treatment interruptions or reduce the quality of life of patients.

METHODS

An observational, cross-sectional, single-center study that included consecutive cancer patients presenting CAEs. The main objective was to describe CAEs derived from antineoplastic drugs. Secondary objectives were to determine the number and severity of CAEs and if there were differences regarding CAEs between conventional chemotherapeutics and targeted therapies.

RESULTS

A total of 114 patients were included with a total number of 177 CAEs. Of the 114 patients, 64 presented a single CAE, 37 patients had two CAEs, and 13 patients presented three CAEs. The most frequent CAEs were pruritus, xerosis, palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia (PPE), and alopecia. The majority of CAEs were mild (63.2%), followed by moderate (29.9%) and severe (6.7%) CAEs. Of the 114 patients, 103 (90.3%) received topical agents and 11 (9.7%) required systemic treatment for the management of CAEs. Prophylactic treatment for CAE was delivered to only 4/114 (3.5%) patients. No significant differences were found in the number or severity of CAEs between conventional chemotherapy and targeted therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Close collaboration between oncologists and dermatologists is essential to start preventive measures on time, enhance patient education, and avoid unnecessary dose reductions or treatment interruptions. The multidisciplinary approach can offer better management of skin toxicities.