Dermatologic Reactions to Targeted Therapy: A Focus on Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Inhibitors and Nursing Care

Abstract

Cancer treatments usually have side effects of bone marrow depression, mucositis, hair loss, and gastrointestinal issues. Rarely do we think of skin side effects until patients have been treated successfully with epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors (EGFRi). Those reactions include papulopustular rash, hair changes, radiation dermatitis enhancement, pruritus, mucositis, xerosis, fissures, and paronychia. This article discusses the common skin reactions seen when using EGFRi and presents an overview of skin as the largest and important organ of the body, including an overview of skin assessment, pathophysiology of the skin reactions, nursing care involved, and introduction to oncodermatology.

Keywords: EGFRi (epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors); Oncodermatology; Skin reactions.

Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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Figure 1. Rule of Nines

From Buck, C. (2011). Next Step: Advanced Medical Coding 2012 Edition Textbook and Workbook Package. Philadelphia, PA: W. B. Saunders. pp 223–276.