A Study of Mucocutaneous Manifestations Due to Cancer Chemotherapy

Oh, Yong Sub; Hong, Seong Hyun; Kye, Young Chul; Kim, Jun Seok; Oh, Chil Hwan

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Recently, inireaing numbers of chemotherapeutic agens are being used to treat cancer patients. Mucocutaeous complications are commonly sen in association with the administration of these medicaticins.
OBJECTIVE
We conducted a study in cancer chemotherapy patient so determine the suspected chemotherapeutic agents ancl frequency of various mucocutaneous side effects in these patients.
METHODS
The study involved 140 patients admitted from Decerrae 1993 to September 1994 for cancer chemot herapy at Korea University Guro Hospital.
RESULTS
The mucocutaneous side effects during chemotherapy were alopecia(55%), hyperpig mentation(32.9%), stomatitis(20%), phlebitis(12.9%), flushing(8.6%) descending order. Visual grade II, IV alopecia patients were most common, but as the chemot retpy cycle increased so, the severer the alopecia. Although the onset of the alopecia were variake many patients experienced alopcia within 17 to 24 days after the start of chemotherapy. Serpeitie supravenous fluorouracil hyperpigmentation were commor,(17.9%), Diffuse and longitudinal or horizontal band like nail pigmentation were observed, and, pigmented macules were also observei, epecially on the palms and digits. Stomatitis usually developed within 10 days after the start of chemotherapy and it persist ed for about 7 days and the most of the lesions were resolved spor Laeously. Other clinical manifestations accompanied with chmotherapy were tinea infection(16.4%), acne(7.1%), oral thrush (7%), white nail band(4.3%), pruritus(2.9%) in descending order.
CONCLUSION
So, physiciars need to be aware of the widely divergnal cutaneous reactions which may occur with the use of antiancer medications.