levoleucovorin and Acneiform-Eruptions

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world. Cetuximab is an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor which provides survival benefit when combined with chemotherapy in RAS wild type metastatic colorectal cancer. Cutaneous toxicities associated with cetuximab have a significant impact on patient quality of life, treatment continuation and healthcare resource utilization.. A 60-year-old male patient presented with fatigue, weight loss and abdominal pain. Two closely located malignant polypoid lesions were detected in the sigmoid colon, and pathological examination revealed colonic adenocarcinoma.. The most common and earliest skin toxicity is acneiform rash which affects 60 to 80% of the patients. In this case, cetuximab-related severe acneiform rash was effectively treated by topical aloe vera. Topical aloe vera may be used in the management of cetuximab-related cutaneous toxicities without any side effect.

Topics: Acneiform Eruptions; Adenocarcinoma; Administration, Topical; Aloe; Antineoplastic Agents; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Cetuximab; Colonic Polyps; Colorectal Neoplasms; Disease Progression; Fluorouracil; Humans; Leucovorin; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Metastasis; Organoplatinum Compounds; Skin Cream; Treatment Outcome

The purposes of this study were to assess the levels of symptom distress, body image, and epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors (EGFRI)-associated health-related quality of life (QoL); identify the factors related to EGFRI-associated health-related QoL; and examine the differences in EGFRI-associated health-related QoL by grade of skin toxicity in mCRC patients receiving target therapy.. This cross-sectional study examined mCRC patients who received cetuximab-based target therapy from the oncology and CRC inpatient and outpatient departments of a medical center in northern Taiwan. Structured questionnaires were used to measure patients' symptom distress, body image, and EGFRI-associated health-related QoL.. Of the 111 mCRC patients studied, 79.2% reported acneiform eruption and 52.2% reported paronychia. The most common symptoms were dry skin and itching. Poor EGFRI-associated health-related QoL was associated with more symptom distress, more negative body image, a higher cumulative dose of target therapy, and being married; these factors explained 66.6% of the variance in EGFRI-associated health-related QoL.. Patient-specific skin care and emotional support are needed to relieve distressful dermatological symptoms and emotional distress during and post-treatment for mCRC.

Topics: Acneiform Eruptions; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Body Image; Camptothecin; Cetuximab; Colorectal Neoplasms; Cross-Sectional Studies; ErbB Receptors; Female; Fluorouracil; Humans; Leucovorin; Male; Middle Aged; Molecular Targeted Therapy; Neoplasm Metastasis; Organoplatinum Compounds; Paronychia; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Pruritus; Quality of Life; Skin Diseases; Surveys and Questionnaires