Nail changes due to docetaxel--a neglected side effect and nuisance for the patient

TY - JOUR

T1 - Nail changes due to docetaxel--a neglected side effect and nuisance for the patient

AU - Winther, Dorte

AU - Saunte, Ditte Marie

AU - Knap, Marianne

AU - Haahr, Vera

AU - Jensen, Anders Bonde

PY - 2007/10

Y1 - 2007/10

N2 - GOALS OF WORK: The objective of this study is to estimate the frequency and severity of nail changes due to treatment with the cytotoxic drug docetaxel and, secondly, to estimate how the nail changes effects the patients cosmetically and functionally in their daily activities. Finally, we want to clarify whether fungal infection could contribute in causing the nail changes.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-five patients with metastatic breast cancer in treatment with the cytotoxic drug docetaxel participated in the study. They filled out two questionnaires about their experience with possible nail changes. The frequency of fungal infection was examined. At each of the two visits, information about the number of treatment cycles, dose of docetaxel the patient received, frequency of lymph oedema, previous treatment with chemotherapy and the reason of discontinuance of treatment, if relevant, were registered. Finally, photos were taken to document the nail changes in hands and feet.MAIN RESULTS: Fifty-eight percent had some degree of nail changes and an increase to 88.5% was seen after three additional cycles. A large proportion of the patients experienced the nail changes as a cosmetic nuisance, and more than 32% had functional problems.CONCLUSION: Nail changes occur more frequently than previous studies have shown. Furthermore, our study indicates that the nail changes are affecting a large proportion of the patients, both cosmetically and functionally, which may lead to a decrease in their quality of life. No significant association was found according to the possible relation between nail changes and fungal infection.

AB - GOALS OF WORK: The objective of this study is to estimate the frequency and severity of nail changes due to treatment with the cytotoxic drug docetaxel and, secondly, to estimate how the nail changes effects the patients cosmetically and functionally in their daily activities. Finally, we want to clarify whether fungal infection could contribute in causing the nail changes.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-five patients with metastatic breast cancer in treatment with the cytotoxic drug docetaxel participated in the study. They filled out two questionnaires about their experience with possible nail changes. The frequency of fungal infection was examined. At each of the two visits, information about the number of treatment cycles, dose of docetaxel the patient received, frequency of lymph oedema, previous treatment with chemotherapy and the reason of discontinuance of treatment, if relevant, were registered. Finally, photos were taken to document the nail changes in hands and feet.MAIN RESULTS: Fifty-eight percent had some degree of nail changes and an increase to 88.5% was seen after three additional cycles. A large proportion of the patients experienced the nail changes as a cosmetic nuisance, and more than 32% had functional problems.CONCLUSION: Nail changes occur more frequently than previous studies have shown. Furthermore, our study indicates that the nail changes are affecting a large proportion of the patients, both cosmetically and functionally, which may lead to a decrease in their quality of life. No significant association was found according to the possible relation between nail changes and fungal infection.

KW - Adult

KW - Aged

KW - Antineoplastic Agents/adverse effects

KW - Denmark

KW - Docetaxel

KW - Female

KW - Humans

KW - Male

KW - Middle Aged

KW - Nails, Malformed/chemically induced

KW - Taxoids/adverse effects

U2 - 10.1007/s00520-007-0232-0

DO - 10.1007/s00520-007-0232-0

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 17318589

SN - 0941-4355

VL - 15

SP - 1191

EP - 1197

JO - Supportive Care in Cancer

JF - Supportive Care in Cancer

IS - 10

ER -