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A B S T R A C T BACKGROUNDThe aim of cancer treatment is to target and destroy cancer cells. Adversely it affects rapidly dividing cells of bone marrow, hair, nails, skin and gastrointestinal mucosa. Drug induced side effects are seen in 25% of hospitalized cancer patients resulting in a variety of cutaneous adverse effects. This study analyses the cutaneous manifestations in patients on cancer therapy at a tertiary care hospital. METHODSThis is a hospital based observational study, done over a period of 2 years (September 2016 -September 2018), on cancer patients undergoing chemo or radiotherapy having cutaneous manifestations, referred to the Dermatology OPD from Oncology OPD in a tertiary hospital. RESULTSAmong 106 cases, 47% were males and 53% were females. Majority of patients belonged to the age group of 41-60 years (40%). Carcinoma of breast (13%) and lung (9%) presented in highest frequency. Out of 59 patients who were treated with chemotherapy alone, most common was anagen effluvium (59%) and least common were ichthyosis, erythema multiforme and herpes zoster (each 2%). Among 5 patients who were treated with radiation therapy alone, most common was radiation dermatitis and seborrheic dermatitis (each 40 %). Among 18 patients who underwent combined chemo and radiotherapy, most common was anagen effluvium (39%) and least was folliculitis, lichenoid dermatitis (each 7%). Among 8 patients who underwent surgery followed by adjuvant chemotherapy, most common was anagen effluvium (40%) and least was surgical site infection, eczema, folliculitis (each 12%). Among 16 patients who underwent combined chemo, radiation and surgery, most common was anagen effluvium (25%) and least common was surgical site infection (6%). 14% fungal, 10% bacterial and 6% viral infections were noted. Among 101 patients who received at least 1 chemotherapeutic agent, most commonly used agent was cisplatin (50%) and least commonly used agent was gemcitabine (3%). CONCLUSIONSEarly identification of adverse effects might help us to give a better quality of life and reduce psychosomatic distress of the patients. It might also assist in tailoring the therapy accordingly.

Genus Malassezia comprises of 14 species of “yeast like fungi,” 13 of which are lipophilic and 1 is nonlipophilic. They are known commensals and in predisposed individuals they commonly cause a spectrum of chronic recurrent infections. They rarely also cause serious illnesses like catheter-related blood stream infections, CAPD associated peritonitis etc., Though these fungi have been known to man for over 150 years, their fastidious nature and cumbersome culture and speciation techniques have restricted research. Since the last taxonomic revision, seven new species have been added to this genus. Their ability to evade the host immune system and virulence has increased the spectrum of the diseases caused by them. These agents have been implicated as causal agents in common diseases like atopic dermatitis recently. Though culture-based research is difficult, the new molecular analysis techniques and facilities have increased research in this field such that we can devote more attention to this genus to study in detail, their characteristics and their growing implications implications in the clinical scenario.