Chemotherapy of oncological diseases is associated with high toxicity. The occurrence of various toxic reactions during the use of antitumor drugs is explained by the fact that most antitumor medicines are not strictly specific, therefore, their effect can extend not only to tumor cells, but also to normal cells, especially to tissues with rapid proliferation. All antitumour agents have skin toxicity in one form or another. However, for some chemotherapeutic agents, skin toxicity is a kind of «reflection» of certain mechanisms of drugs action, and, in most cases, the severity of dermatological reactions correlates with the effectiveness of chemotherapy. Dermatological toxicity deserves special attention, as it affects the quality of life of cancer patients and, in some cases, may require a dose reduction or even cancellation of chemotherapy. This article presents current data on the mechanisms of development of skin toxicity of routine chemotherapeutic agents, growth factor inhibitors and some antitumor antibiotics, its correction and prevention opportunities.