Restorative oncodermatology: Diagnosis and management of dermatologic sequelae from cancer therapies

Abstract

The long-term survival of patients with cancer has risen dramatically during the last few decades. Despite this remarkable success, the same treatments that have enabled cure or remission often secondarily affect the skin, hair, and nails. Conditions including scarring, striae distensae, persistent alopecia, pigmentary changes, nail alterations, chronic radiation dermatitis, and radiation fibrosis have been associated with anxiety, depression, decreased quality of life, and impaired function. These dermatologic changes are cosmetically disfiguring, may limit activities, and are a visual reminder of past illness. Interventions toward improving these untoward sequelae and restoring the appearance and function of skin and appendages are critical for normalization and may contribute to improved quality of life in cancer survivors. Here, we outline dermatologic sequelae of cancer therapies with a review of medical and procedural treatment strategies to restore dermatologic health in the survivorship population.

Keywords: alopecia; cancer; cancer survivors; chemotherapy; dermal fillers; hyperpigmentation; hypopigmentation; lymphedema; neuromodulators; quality of life; radiation; reconstruction; scar; striae; surgery; telangiectasias.