Darkening of the Skin in the palms and hands
 

Hema is back to Tykerb/Xeloda.Xeloda was off for one month and her skin colour was getting back to normal.Now on resuming Xeloda the darkening has started.Is it the effect of Xeloda alone or the Xeloda/Herceptin combination

Re: Darkening of the Skin in the palms and hands
 

Magy Onkol. 2011 Jun 8;55(2):91-98. Epub 2011 Mar 7.
[Main treatment and preventive measures for hand-foot syndrome, a dermatologic side effect of cancer therapy.]

[Article in Hungarian]
Bartal A, Mátrai Z, Szûcs A, Liszkay G.
Source

Intézeti Gyógyszertár, Országos Onkológiai Intézet, Budapest, Hungary. alexandra.bartal@gmail.com.

Abstract

Hand-foot syndrome is a highly unpleasant adverse reaction caused by treatment protocols containing capecitabine (an orally administered drug), docetaxel, liposomal doxorubicin infusions or continuously infused 5-fluorouracil. It affects the skin of the palms and soles manifesting characteristic symptoms like erythema, inflammation, dysesthesia, pain, thickening, desquamation and cracking of the skin that may progress to cause wounds and ulceration, negatively influencing quality of life, psychological state and belief in recovery, which often result in the need of permanent or temporary interruption of the oncologic treatment and are potential sources of danger to the completion of the therapy. Adequate provision of the syndrome is of particular importance since a decline in adherence due to adverse events endangers precise maintenance of the self-sufficient oral treatment at home. Early recognition of symptoms, regular oncologic checkups and patient education on how to prevent or soothe the unpleasant skin toxicities could ensure a more successful treatment.

Re: Darkening of the Skin in the palms and hands
 

Thanks Jackie