title: Toxic effects of multiple anticancer drugs on skin.
abstract: In this study, cutaneous toxicities associated with the administration of chemotherapy in combination are discussed. Rapidly growing cells are the targets of chemotherapy, so the skin, hair follicles, and nail matrix are frequently affected by chemotherapy. Chemotherapy skin reactions are more likely toxic than allergic reactions. There are numerous chemotherapy-induced cutaneous reactions that have been described in the literature. In addition to a variety of miscellaneous reactions, 19 major cutaneous reactions were discussed in current study. This study was designed to evaluate the clinical spectrum of all cutaneous toxicities over two years in hospitalized and ambulatory patients in the Department of Pediatric oncology and to establish probable relationship between the reaction and suspected anticancer protocol with the help of WHO (World Health Organization) Common Toxicity Criteria by Grade. The data on the cutaneous toxicities were analyzed by percentile and ranking method. The minimal (0.8%) cutaneous adverse effects monitored during the study were Petechiae, photosensitivity, pruritus, urticaria, wound-infection, erythema multiforme, hand-foot skin reaction, injection site reaction, dry skin. Alopecia was the single most common (64.3%) adverse effect observed during the study, where as the pigmentary changes were the second most common (18.2%) adverse effect monitored. While these side effects are generally not life threatening, they can be a source of significant distress to patients, especially alopecia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Dow International Medical College & Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan. noorkamil@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Noor
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kamil
authors.forename: Saba
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kamil
authors.forename: Shahida P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.forename: Rizwan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ashraf
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Khurram
authors.forename: Muhammad Obaid
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Ali
mesh_terms: D000505:Alopecia / Q000139:chemically induced; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents