Some side effects can be easily managed with prescription creams or oral medications. Source: American Society of Clinical Oncology How can I manage my skin side effects?įirst, always tell your healthcare team about any skin changes you notice. The following are targeted therapies (drugs) that commonly cause skin changes: DrugĮrlotinib, Gefitinib, Cetuximab, PanitumumabĬolorectal, Head and Neck, Lung, Pancreatic These side effects most commonly appear after the second or third treatment. The most common skin side effects with targeted therapies are rashes, dry and itchy skin, hair loss, redness, and inflammation around fingernails and toenails. Because EGFRs are also important to normal skin cell growth, this may cause skin side effects. Common types of targeted therapy drugs attack the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) to stop cancer cells from continuing to grow. Targeted therapies focus on or “target” a specific type of cell or molecule. If side effects become too severe, your radiation oncologist may stop or delay treatment to allow your skin to rest. If the skin becomes moist or cracked, you are at risk for an infection.In some cases, the skin may even darken, swell, blister, or peel away.The skin may also become very itchy, which is a condition called pruritus.The skin at the treatment area may become red, dry, and tender like a mild to moderate sunburn.Skin side effects, such as the following, do not usually appear until about the third week of treatment and may continue after finishing treatment: This therapy usually consists of daily treatments over several weeks. The radiation is targeted at a specific area of the body. With external beam radiation therapy, high-energy radiation rays from outside the body are used to kill and shrink cancerous tumors. Side effects of the skin commonly occur with two cancer treatments: external beam radiation therapy and new targeted therapies. This can result in certain side effects including skin changes. When cancer treatments fight cancer cells, they can also affect healthy cells.
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