Supportive Care Strategies for Dermatologic Toxicities Related to EGFR Inhibitor Therapies: 3-Part Knowledge Series-Session 3

Video Transcription

Video Summary

This ACCC Knowledge Series session focused on quality of life for patients receiving epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor (eGFRI) therapies. The speakers emphasized that dermatologic toxicities are common and can significantly affect daily life, even when they seem “low grade.”<br /><br />They reviewed the major side effects:<br />- Skin toxicities, including acne-like rash, dryness, peeling, sun sensitivity, and nail infections<br />- Mouth toxicities, such as sores, dry mouth, chapped lips, and pain with eating, drinking, or brushing teeth<br />- Nail toxicities, including splitting, lifting, pain, and paronychia<br />- Hair and scalp toxicities, including hair thinning or loss, scalp rash, and changes to eyelashes, eyebrows, and facial hair<br /><br />Patient speakers Susan Fagella and Jill Feldman shared personal experiences showing how these effects can be physically painful, emotionally distressing, and disruptive to family life, eating, mobility, and self-image.<br /><br />A central message was that communication is key: patients should report symptoms early, and clinicians should ask specifically about how side effects feel and how they affect function, not just how they look. Early intervention, supportive care, and practical self-management strategies can reduce severity and help patients live as well as possible during treatment.

Keywords

epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor

quality of life

dermatologic toxicities

skin rash

mouth sores

nail toxicity

patient communication