DERMATOLOGIC HEALTH
Skin Changes
All cancer treatments have side effects, but patients are sometimes surprised by the skin changes they see when receiving chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Since these therapies are used to treat a variety of cancers — skin changes are common.
What are common skin changes during cancer treatment?
- The most common things we see are rashes and dry skin, which may be accompanied by itchiness or burning of the skin. Chemotherapy and immunotherapy can also change the color, or pigment, of the skin, but it’s less common. You may not even notice. Depending on the therapy, you may see lightening or darkening of skin, hair and nails.
- A less common side effect that we see with newer treatments is the development of new growths, such as moles, warts and raised areas of the skin. It’s important to know that the type of skin side effect you may experience depends on your medical history and the type of treatment you’re receiving, so talk with your doctor about what you should expect.
- Chemotherapy and immunotherapy fight cancer by targeting specific molecules in tumors. Those same molecules are also in our skin, hair and nails, so patients can experience side effects in those areas during cancer treatment. Typically, changes to your skin related to chemotherapy and immunotherapy aren’t permanent. When you stop treatment, we’ll see your skin return to its previous state.
What can I do to cope with skin changes during cancer treatment?
Unfortunately, you can’t avoid treatment-related skin changes entirely, but there are steps you can take to help reduce the discomfort. Before beginning cancer therapy, we suggest you start moisturizing your skin regularly. Also, if you have a history of eczema, psoriasis or skin cancer, see a dermatologist to address those concerns before beginning treatment so that they aren’t amplified during chemotherapy or immunotherapy.