The Age of the Oncodermatologist: Championing Preventative Side-Effect Management

"Just about every single patient entering a cancer center who is likely to undergo treatment is a potential patient where an onco-dermatologist has a role"

Dr Nicole LeBoeuf, Dr Beth McLellan, and Dr Ian Tattersall, have all chosen to specialise in the skin toxicity side effects of patient’s undergoing cancer treatment. In a discussion led by Dr Corina van den Hurk, they talk about being embedded within their respective oncology units, the side effects they witness daily affecting the skin, hair, and nails of patients receiving chemotherapy and radiation therapy, and the lasting impact this can have on quality of life.

With patients often referred to their services once treatment has finished, they explain why dermatological interventions can be significantly more effective if they are positioned as a preventative measure in the treatment timeline, as opposed to a curative measure at the end.

Shownotes:

• Lacouture ME, et al. Prevention and management of dermatological toxicities related to anticancer agents: ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines. Ann Oncol. 2021 Feb;32(2):157-170.
• Lacouture ME, et al. Clinical practice guidelines for the prevention and treatment of EGFR inhibitor-associated dermatologic toxicities. Support Care Cancer. 2011 Aug;19(8):1079-95.