Mucocutaneous Manifestations in patients receiving Cancer Chemotherapy in Regional Cancer Centre of Tirunelveli Medical College

BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy is a common, widely used treatment for cancer. Cutaneous adverse drug reactions (CADRs) are the most commonly associated adverse effects with chemotherapy next to haematological toxicity. They range from mild reactions to severe fatal reactions. Pattern of adverse cutaneous reactions to chemotherapeutic drugs is changing every year. Hence this study was conducted to study the pattern of adverse drug reactions following cancer chemotherapy. AIM OF THE STUDY: To estimate and describe the mucocutaneous adverse effects of cancer chemotherapeutics agents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is an Observational prospective study done during the period from March 2017 to September 2018. RESULTS: Total incidence of CADRs - 35%. Most common malignancy observed was carcinoma breast (46.7%) which was frequently encountered with CADRs, followed by carcinoma of lung (11.4%), ovary and colon (each 8.6%). Most frequently used regimen was Taxanes/Doxorubicin/ Cyclophosphamide and Doxorubicin/ Cyclophosphamide, in breast carcinoma followed by FOLFOX regimen in carcinoma colon. Alopecia was the frequent specific CADRs occurring in 50.9% and seen with Taxanes, Anticancer antiobiotics and Alkylating agents. Second most common cutaneous toxicity was Nail pigmentation (45.2%), followed by acral pigmentation (36.7%) and tongue pigmentation (21.6%) with regimen of Doxorubin, 5 FU and Capecitabine. It was most commonly seen in patients with carcinoma of colon (77.7%) followed by breast carcinoma (52%). Among non specific CADRs, dermatophytosis (6.6%) was most commonly observed followed by herpes zoster (3.7%) and oral candidiasis (2.8%). CONCLUSION: Most frequently used regimen was Taxanes/Doxorubicin/ Cyclophosphamide and Doxorubicin/ Cyclophosphamide, in breast carcinoma followed by FOLFOX regimen in carcinoma colon and they were most commonly associated with CADRs. Among regimen with monoclonal antibodies, CADRs were less reported. Incidence of cutaneous adverse reaction with targeted chemotherapy was proportionately more and severity was also high