Cutaneous Adverse Effects of Cancer Chemotherapy Drugs: A Cross-sectional Study from Tertiary Care Centre in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Introduction: The incidence of cancers is increasing over the past few decades. With the surge of cancer cases, the usage of cancer chemotherapy drugs has increased. These drugs cause a myriad of cutaneous adverse effects leading to decreased quality of life. Aim: To study the frequency of cutaneous adverse effects of cancer chemotherapy drugs. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Dermatology Government Royapettah Hospital, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, from October 2024-November 2024. In present study, all the patients under cancer chemotherapy drugs for various malignancies with cutaneous adverse effects were included. All the cutaneous adverse effects were noted with proper documentation. The results were statistically analysed and tabulated in terms of frequency and percentage. Results: A total of 70 patients were included in the study. Among the 70 patients, 32 (45.7%) were male and 38 (54.2%) were female. Among the patients, 6 (8.6%) were less than 40 years of age, 29 (41.4%) were between 40-49 years, 15 (21.4%) were between 50-59 years, 9 (12.9%) were between 60-69 years, 6 (8.6%) were between 70-79 years and 5 (7.1%) were between 80-89 years. Carcinoma (Ca) breast was the most common malignancy observed in 23 (32.8%) in our study followed by Ca lung in 11 (15.7%) and Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia (CML) in 6 (8.5%). Anagen effluvium was the most common adverse effect observed in 53 (75.7%) followed by xerosis in 48 (68.6%), acneiform eruptions in 17 (24.3%), hyperpigmentation involving the skin, mucosa and nail in 14 (20%) and sweet syndrome in 8 (11.4%). Conclusion: The knowledge of adverse effects of chemotherapy drugs can help in early recognition and treatment. This helps in increasing the patient’s compliance and thereby increasing the quality of life.