title: Cancer and itch.
abstract: Itch represents a common and significant source of morbidity in the oncological setting. Itch sometimes can be associated with an underlying malignancy, most commonly leukemia or lymphoma. Alternatively, itch may present secondary to malignant invasion causing hepatic or renal dysfunction. Finally, itch may be related to therapeutic regimens for the underlying malignancy. This article seeks to review the clinical scenarios in which itch affects the oncological patient, to briefly present the latest understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms of malignancy-related itch, and to review currently available therapeutic options.
authors.affiliation: Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
authors.forename: Herbert C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Chiang
authors.forename: Victor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Lynn A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Cornelius
mesh_terms: D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D000982:Antipruritics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D011537:Pruritus / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000982:Antipruritics; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents