Common Skin Conditions in Cancer Related Care !
Dr. Wendy Zhou, ND
Technology has advanced dramatically within the last few years to make radiation services more precise. This can decrease the amount of collateral damage to healthy cells surrounding a tumor. Cytotoxic chemotherapies can also cause various skin conditions such as hyperpigmentation, hand-foot syndrome, erythema multiforme, to name a few reactions. As with every decision made in the context of cancer care, knowing whether the radiation service is being given for management, adjectively or for palliative symptoms will change the risk/benefit consideration of the procedure.
Skin damage (radiation dermatitis) one of the many common side effects of radiation. It presents as a sunburn-like rash that has heightened sensitivity to the affected area. It can lead to peeling and scaly skin and proceed to thinning of the epidermis with cracking. Blistering can happen in a more severe dermatitis case.
EGFR inhibitor-induced rash (Acneiform Rash) is raised pustular bumps that happen on the skin in conjunction with redness and sensitivity due to EGFR inhibitors (a common care method in non-small cell lung cancer). It can happen over the face, scalp, chest and back. They can break over, scab over and repeat cyclically, causing much pain and discomfort for patients undergoing the care. Clinically, this has also directly impacted a person’s sleep and overall mood along with self-consciousness about their outer appearance. However, this development is a positive predictor of response to care, and therefore necessary for cancer patients to endure.
Common recommendations for skin issues affected by cancer
Naturopathic care have a strong base in lifestyle and non-invasive approaches. Common suggestions such as avoiding sun exposure during care, avoiding harsh soaps, practicing good skin hygiene, or avoiding hot water during showers are all good ideas or verified by scientific studies.
As Naturopathic doctors, we can compound additional and specific topical ointments that may not be available commercially such as topical aloe vera-based skin gels that contain vitamin E, EGCg, silymarin, calendula, neem extracts, Hypericum perforatum, and melatonin. The combination of items added to the topical cream depends on the severity of the radiation damage on the skin. All of the substances above have had scientific research behind their effectiveness regarding improving or managing radiation dermatitis.
Additionally, oral supplementation may be considered if the patients are comfortable. It is common for doctors to suggest no additional ‘supplementations’ or ‘vitamin nutrition’ during the course of care. As Naturopathic Doctors, we do our research to make sure that what we prescribe or suggest will not interfere with the conventional care. We present the research, and it is at the patient’s own comfort level to see if they would like to carry out the suggestion. Common suggestions may include Curcumin, glutamine, vitamin C, resveratrol, lycopene, or high-dose fish oils. Different chemotherapy or radiation regimens would require different unique combinations of supplements due to the fact that some of those can have a direct negative impact on current conventional care. It is advisable to speak to a naturopathic doctor who is an expert in cancer care in order to have the advisable-individualized plan uniquely developed for each individual cancer patient.
Dr. Wendy is a Naturopathic Doctor that has a strong focus on cancer adjunctive care. Her background in evidence-based critical appraisal allows her to deep dive into many complex clinical cases. Dr. Wendy is an injection and IV certified Naturopathic Doctor and is an associate of the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Medicine, the Ontario Association of Naturopathic Medicine, and the Oncology Association of Naturopathic Physicians.