MUCOCUTANEOUS ADVERSE EFFECTS IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING CANCER CHEMOTHERAPY
Journal Title: Journal of Evolution of Medical and Dental Sciences - Year 2018, Vol 7, Issue 42
Abstract
BACKGROUND New chemotherapeutic agents and new protocols in oncology have led to an increasing survival rate in patients affected by tumours. Traditional chemotherapy drugs as well as the newer targeted agents are associated with a wide array of cutaneous toxicities.[1] Toxic effects on skin, hair and nails can negatively affect the quality of life and also lead to interruption or discontinuation of these drugs.[2] Aim- To study the various mucocutaneous adverse effects associated with cancer chemotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 200 patients with malignancies undergoing chemotherapy in the oncology ward and outpatient department were screened in this observational study. We have clinically examined 200 patients affected by cancer determining type, treatment and evolution of cutaneous side effects related to chemotherapy. It is a hospital-based observational study. All patients were counselled about the study and informed written consent was obtained. Patients were examined before start of chemotherapy treatment and after every cycle of chemotherapy. Data collected was analysed using SPSS version 16.0. RESULTS In this study, 200 patients including 118 females and 82 males were studied. Majority (56%) of the patients belonged to the age group of 41 - 60 years. The common indications for chemotherapy were carcinoma breast (29%), tongue (11%), buccal mucosa (10%), ovary (8%) and stomach (6%). Among the cutaneous adverse events noted, hair changes were the most common presentation and were reported in 156 (78%) patients. Skin changes were seen in 130 (65%) cases, nail changes in 102 (51%) cases and mucosal changes in 46 (23%) patients. Cisplatin, cyclophosphamide, 5-fluorouracil, carboplatin, paclitaxel and doxorubicin were the most frequently prescribed chemotherapeutic drugs. CONCLUSION Oncological therapies have become more selective and have low systemic toxicity because of their high specificity, but cutaneous side effects are common and may worsen the quality of life of these patients. Our observations necessitate a joint effort between dermatology and oncology for the early recognition and adequate treatment of the cutaneous adverse effects associated with cancer chemotherapy, which may help in reducing morbidity and improving compliance.
Authors and Affiliations
Garima Sharma, P. K. Nigam
Keywords
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- EP ID EP548518
- DOI 10.14260/jemds/2018/1012
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