Purpose
Dermatologic management of cancer patients with cutaneous adverse events, acquired during and after oncologic treatments, is known as supportive oncodermatology. This subspecialty within dermatology includes the prevention, early identification, and mitigation of dermatologic toxicities affecting the skin, hair, nails, and mucous membranes resulting from chemotherapy, targeted therapies, immunotherapy, endocrine therapies and radiation therapy.
Methods
The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Task Force “Dermatology for Cancer Patients,” in partnership with the US Oncodermatology Society conducted this international questionnaire-based study RESCUE (RESIDENTS SURVEY ON TRAINING OF DERMATOLOGY RESIDENTS IN SUPPORTIVE ONCODERMATOLOGY), aiming to evaluate the current state of knowledge and training in supportive oncodermatology.
Results
442 dermatology residents from 20 countries participated in the RESCUE study. Main results showed that dermatology residents declared to be less trained in supportive oncodermatology (only 41% received complete training) compared to immunodermatology (75%), cutaneous oncology (75%), dermoscopy (64%) and dermatologic surgery (50%). Only 17% of residents affirmed feeling comfortable dealing with dermatological toxicities of anticancer treatments. Residents stated being less educated in the management of dermatological toxicities of endocrine therapies (28%). They felt less qualified in nail, hair and oral toxicities. 98% of residents considered that improving training on dermatological toxicities of anticancer therapies is important during residency.
Conclusion
A specific dedicated residency program including a more practical approach, together with an extended training in endocrine therapies, as well as hair, nail and oral toxicities, would improve the skills of dermatology residents in the management of cutaneous adverse events of anticancer therapies.