Cancer Related Skin Issues

Cancer treatment can bring many side-effects especially changes to skin

Cancer and cancer treatment can cause various skin changes and problems including dry skin, itchiness, color changes. In her work in medical field of oncology, Dr. Shyamali Singhal saw that people with cancer might also have to deal with scars, wounds, or pressure sores. Cancer treatment can affect a person’s skin, hair, and nails. Often, skin problems from cancer treatment are not severe, but they can be uncomfortable and noticeable. Some people may struggle with the visible changes or symptoms caused by a skin condition. Skin conditions may get better over time, but some may not go away. There are options for managing most skin conditions caused by cancer treatment. Relieving side effects such as skin conditions is an important part of cancer care and treatment. This is called palliative care or supportive care.

Skin Changes Are Not To Be Ignored

Skin changes can often be the first sign of a deeper problem including an internal malignancy. Signs of skin disease may precede, occur with, or follow the detection of an associated cancer. These skin diseases can be a feature of an undiagnosed cancer and may be the prompt for a thorough examination in patients. Or in a patient whose cancer is in remission, these skin diseases may be the initial sign of the cancer recurring. Most of the time, prevention is the best way to manage skin problems. Sometimes an itch, pain, or discomfort is the first sign that a skin condition is beginning. Patients should report all of this to the health care team, even if the problem is still not visible.

Radiation Therapy

Intention of this article is to raise awareness, not go through all possible skin-related  conditions one can experience while battling cancer, but we’ll mention some of the most common skin issues for cancer patients.

When radiation therapy is used on cancer cells, it also affects healthy skin cells. This can cause the skin to peel, itch, or hurt. Skin damage from radiation therapy often starts after one or two weeks of treatment. Most often, it gets better a few weeks after treatment ends. If it becomes a problem, your doctor may change your radiation therapy dose or schedule until the condition improves.

Corticosteroid skin cream

Corticosteroid skin creams, such as mometasone cream, commercially named, may help prevent skin changes from radiation therapy. Patients should make sure to not apply these creams within four hours of radiation therapy, while the skin is still very sensitive. Patients are advised  to report to their health care team if they see any open sores or areas where the skin is moist or any other kind of change on the skin. This may be a sign of an infection that needs treatment with oral antibiotics and other remedies.

Chemotherapy Extravasation

Another rather common problem with the chemotherapy is chemotherapy  extravasation, a side-effect that happens when chemotherapy given into a vein leaks onto the skin. This can cause pain or burning, and if left untreated, an open wound may develop. If a patient feels pain or burning when receiving chemotherapy, they should report this to their health care team right away. They will likely stop the chemotherapy and treat the area around the infusion with topical or injected medications.Health care team will also show to the patient how to care for the area at home. Then, chemotherapy will be administered through another vein or by another method.

Other Possible Skin Issues

Pressure ulcers, or bed sores, are caused by constant pressure on one area of the body. They often form on the heels of the feet, the tailbone, and other parts of the body with a thin layer of fat. To prevent and treat bed sores, patients could  try using an air or water pad that lies on top of the mattress. It is important to seek treatment for bed sores to reduce pain and keep them from getting worse.

When cancer breaks the skin, it can cause a malignant wound. Many types of cancer can cause these wounds, but they are most common with skin cancer and breast cancer. Malignant wounds can easily become infected and be very painful or itchy. They may leak a large amount of fluid or blood and have a very strong odor. Topical antibiotics such as metronidazole may help reduce the odor. Patients should talk with their health care team in case they have a malignant wound.

We Can Help

In Dr. Shyamali Singhal’s years of experience, working closely,  with cancer patients in different stages and with different types of cancer, she has witnessed all of above mentioned problems, and many more. Skin is our largest organ, the one protecting us from the outside world, and the one first to show signs when something is wrong and out of balance in our body. We have to take care of it dearly, even more so when going through stressful times, while battling cancer. This is why Dr. Singhal selected a line of skin-care products for Chemo Companions, specially designed for cancer patients, to meet their specific needs.