Management of Skin Toxicities in Cancer Treatment: An Australian/New Zealand Perspective

The review addresses the management of skin toxicities from cancer treatments in Australia and New Zealand, focusing on conditions like rashes, hair loss, and dry skin, which affect patient quality of life and treatment adherence. It emphasizes the need for region-specific skincare due to high UV exposure and diverse skin types. Recommendations include proactive patient education, proper skin hygiene, and dermocosmetics, with guidelines for managing radiation dermatitis through early intervention and gentle skincare. Chemotherapy-induced alopecia, affecting 65% of patients, can be mitigated by scalp cooling, while hormonal therapy-related alopecia may benefit from minoxidil and vitamin D. The document advocates for integrated care between oncology and dermatology to prevent therapy discontinuation and improve patient outcomes.