title: Skin toxicities and unmet supportive care needs of patients with cancer undergoing EGFR-inhibitor therapy
abstract: Background: Targeted therapies, such as the EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) inhibitor therapy, are being used to treat patients with various solid and metastatic tumours. Skin toxicities are a common side effect of this therapy. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the effects of skin toxicities on quality of life of patients with cancer undergoing EGFR inhibitor therapy, as well as their unmet supportive care needs. Method: Embedded design. A standardised quantitative survey was administered and analysed. In addition, memos and audiotaped material of insightful conversations with the patients after survey administration were included in the analyses. Results: Among the three domains of the effects of skin toxicities on quality of life, physical symptoms (e. g. itching skin, rash) were most frequently reported to impair quality of life, while associated emotional and functional impairments were less frequently reported. Patients don’t consider the management of skin toxicities to be a priority during their treatment, skin toxicities are rather perceived in context of the total symptom burden. Yet, we observed significant correlations between the assessed quality of life and unmet supportive care need domains, especially concerning physical and psychological needs. Conclusions: Although no clinically significant impairment of quality of life of patients undergoing EGFR inhibitor therapy was found, skin changes should be addressed in supportive interventions embedded in routine symptom management.
authors.affiliation: 1 Institut für Pflegewissenschaft, Universität Wien.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Matzka
authors.affiliation: 1 Institut für Pflegewissenschaft, Universität Wien.
authors.forename: Doreen
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Stöhr
authors.affiliation: 1 Institut für Pflegewissenschaft, Universität Wien.
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Colditz
authors.affiliation: 1 Institut für Pflegewissenschaft, Universität Wien.
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Köck-Hódi
authors.affiliation: 1 Institut für Pflegewissenschaft, Universität Wien.
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koller
authors.affiliation: 1 Institut für Pflegewissenschaft, Universität Wien.
authors.forename: Hanna
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mayer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001317:Austria; D000068818:Cetuximab / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003875:Drug Eruptions / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000451:nursing*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000451:nursing*; D000077544:Panitumumab; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000077544:Panitumumab; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D000068818:Cetuximab
keywords: EGFR-Antikörpertherapie; Hautreaktionen; Krebs; Unterstützungsbedarf; molecular targeted therapy; neoplasms; nursing care; skin diseases