Dermatological Manifestations in Cancer Patients: A Hospital Based Study

Abstract

Skin can show various manifestations in patients suffering with malignancy, which may be specific or non specific. In absence of any available literature on this issue, we conducted this study to know the dermatological conditions affecting Nepalese patients with malignancy. A total of 62 patients who were referred for dermatological consultation both from out-patient department and in-patient department of Nepal Cancer Hospital were included in this study. Data including demographic variables, type of malignancy, duration since diagnosis, chemotherapeutic agents administered and dermatological manifestation were recorded. The frequency of Dermatological manifestation in cancer patients was found to be 0.41%. There were 56% females and 44% males. Mean age of presentation was 44 years. These patients had primary malignancy as carcinoma breast in 31%, lung carcinoma 21%, carcinoma colon 16%, carcinoma rectum 8%, carcinoma pancreas 7% and 3% each had carcinoma prostate, carcinoma stomach, carcinoma ovary and oral carcinoma and Ewing sarcoma. The mean duration of presentation of primary carcinoma was 8 months. The most frequent dermatoses was eczema in 39%, followed by infection 25%, pruritus 14%, insect bite hypersensitivity 3.2%, disorder of pilosebaceous unit 3.2%, urticaria 3.2%, pigmentary changes 3.2%, nail involvement 3.2%, drug rash 2%, vesiculo-blistering disorder 2% and cutaneous metastasis in 2%. In absence of screening program, we found a very low frequency of cutaneous manifestation in patients with malignancy in our study. We recommend a prospective long term follow-up study with institution of screening and awareness program.

Clinical study of geriatric dermatoses

“…Among them psoriasis was the commonest disorder noted (3%).This incidence of papulosquamous disorders in accordance with the study by Thapa (3.3%). 13 Bullous disorders and eczema were seen in 3.5% and 20.5% of the study subjects respectively and it was in accordance with Raveendra et al (1.5% and 31% respectively). 6 Pigmentary disorders were seen in 7% of the study subjects and vitiligo was the commonest of them (4%) followed by melasma (3%).…”

“…Thapa et al, had reported a similar incidence (1.9%). 13 Overall, 43.5% of the study population was suffering from comorbid conditions. 7 subjects had more than 1 comorbid condition.…”

“…Raveendra et al had found an incidence of 11% and Thapa et al had documented an incidence of 11.5% which were similar to our findings. 6,13 Bacterial infections were the next most common and they were present in 9% of the study subjects. Leprosy was the commonest among them(2.5%) followed by pitted keratolysis (2%).The incidence of leprosy was in similar lines to the results of Raveendra et al who reported an incidence of 6%.…”

Efficacy of a Rhealba® Oat Extract‐based emollient on chronic pruritus in elderly French outpatients

“…5 The prevalence of pruritus increases with age, 2,3 and it is one of the most common health problems reported by elderly adults. [6][7][8][9][10][11] A 2002 survey including over 25 000 respondents found that 12.4% reported suffering from chronic pruritus. 12 The survey also found that the respondents considered chronic itch by far the most impairing skin problem.…”

Skin disorders among elderly population without comorbidities: a hospital based study

“…This observation is similar to that observed by Thapa et al where eczema (35.8%) was most common. 5 Bilgili et al and Liao et al also reported higher incidence of eczema at 32.7% and 58.7% respectively. 6,7 In elderly population, contact dermatitis and seborrheic dermatitis are more commonly seen.…”