Acne has become a major problem for patients with colon cancer since the introduction of Erbitux and Vectibix. These drugs target EGFR not only in the tumor but the basal layers of the skin and cause a skin acne rash which can cover significant part of the head, chest, and back.

Most physician prescribe topical or oral antibiotics particular when there are a lot of pus-filled pustules. Bristol Myers Squibb which distributes Erbitux® (cetuximab) has developed a skin care kit, including liquid bandages and lotion to treat the skin. Most of my patients love it.

Patients always ask what else they can do, so I searched for remedies against acne and found interesting, promising ways to treat acne. Read the rest of this entry »

Nearly all patients who are treated with Vectibix™ (panitumumab) will develop an itchy skin rash that looks something like acne.  However, treating the rash preemptively  before it appears reduces its severity and lengthens the time before more serious rash appears.

During the STEPP (Skin Toxicity Evaluation Protocol with Panitumumab) trial, researchers randomized patients who were being treated with Vectibix to either preemptive skin rash management at the beginning of chemotherapy or reactive treatment once rash appeared.  After six weeks, 70 percent of patients treated preemptively had not developed grade 2 skin rash.  Sixty-two percent of the reactive group already had rash that was grade 2 or higher. Read the rest of this entry »

• Skin rash: Certain drugs that treat colorectal cancer, like Erbitux or Vectibix, can cause painful rashes, dry skin and nail problems. These side effects are unpleasant, can hurt and are often embarrassing. Watch a recording of our patient webinar “Coping with Skin Rash” for information on managing this side effect.
• Mouth sores or mucositis are painful and can make eating or swallowing difficult or impossible. Cooling the tissues of the mouth and throat with ice chips before and during administration of chemo is a proven method of preventing them. Some patients like popsicles. However, avoid ice if your treatment includes oxaliplatin. There are mouthwashes that can help with pain and healing if sores do develop, and antibiotics may be required if they become infected.
• Hand-foot syndrome or red, cracked, or peeling skin develops in some patients taking 5-fluorouracil or Xeloda (capecitabine). It resolves (gets better) rapidly once you stop taking the drugs. However, it may start again if treatment is restarted. This condition is not life threatening. Early intervention may allow treatment to continue by reducing the dose. A few small studies have indicated that vitamin B6 (pyroxidine) may help prevent or resolve hand-and-foot Syndrome. Vaseline, over-the-counter moisturizing creams, or prescription ointments may help healing. Some patients find it especially effective to put the creams on under white cotton gloves overnight.
• Hair loss: In most cases, drugs used for treating colorectal cancer do not result in complete hair loss. There may be some hair thinning. The American Cancer Society has a program “Look Good, Feel Better” that can help with changes in hair and skin.