Skin problems in oncology

Abstract

The skin may be adversely affected by any serious medical illness, often as a secondary process related to infection, trauma, nutritional deficiencies, and other factors. Disease-specific skin involvement occurs commonly in some conditions, and is best characterized in cancer. Skin of the patient with advanced cancer is unique compared to other organs of the body. While the sequela of metastatic spread to internal organs often is replacement of normal tissue and resultant organ failure, widespread replacement of skin with a neoplasm is uncommon. Yet, even a local disruption of skin integrity can cause deterioration in the quality of life, debilitation, and even mortality. Other aspects of neoplastic disorders affecting the skin discussed in this chapter include accumulation of abnormally produced metabolites, adverse effects to treatment, and paraneoplastic syndromes. It is important to give dermatological aspects of disease their appropriate attention, because these can be the ones that may be dealt with efficiently and improve the patient’s quality of life.</p