Rashes and Other Mucocutaneous Effects of Cancer Therapy

The presentation discusses the mucocutaneous effects associated with cancer therapies, focusing on various skin toxicities linked to traditional cytotoxic chemotherapy, targeted therapies, and immunotherapies. The speaker emphasizes the growing number of cancer patients and the importance of dermatologic care in managing the skin effects of these treatments. Key learning objectives include identifying common skin toxicities, understanding their associated signs and symptoms, and developing strategies for managing rare and atypical reactions. The talk highlights how systemic therapies impact rapidly dividing cells, leading to common dermatological issues such as mucositis and hair loss. Specific attention is given to distinct patterns of skin toxicity that correlate with different therapeutic mechanisms, notably the signature side effects of targeted therapies like EGFR inhibitors, which often result in acneiform eruptions and hair changes. The presentation keeps a clinical focus on patient management approaches, including the importance of distinguishing between various underlying causes of skin reactions, recognizing when to prescribe topical or systemic treatments, and ensuring patient quality of life is maintained. It also addresses recent findings related to vitamin D therapy for severe toxic erythema and proposes nutritional assessments for patients experiencing persistent skin issues. In summary, the speaker encourages dermatologists to engage confidently in the care of these patients, leveraging emerging data and clinical experiences to improve treatment outcomes.