Oncology treatments can cause skin irritation and inflammation by different routes, such as damaging the rapidly dividing skin cells, therefore inducing an inflammatory response. These may lead to skin inflammation which refers to a state where the skin becomes red, swollen and itchy. It is a natural mechanism that aids in combating harmful pathogens and healing

Oncology treatments can have an impact on the quickly dividing cells in the nail matrix, leading to various alterations in the nails. These changes often manifest as brittle, dry, and fragile nails, accompanied by cuticles that are more susceptible to cracking and splitting. Patients undergoing oncology treatments have frequently reported experiencing these nail-related issues

Stomatitis, a frequent adverse effect of chemotherapy, is marked by inflammation and tenderness in the mouth or the mucous membranes that line the oral cavity. Its symptoms encompass pain, redness, swelling, and the formation of mouth sores or ulcers

Patients undergoing oncology treatments frequently encounter a compromised immune system, making them more susceptible to skin infections, including atopic dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis is an inflammatory skin disorder characterized by itchy skin lesions. It is a prevalent condition that exhibits eczematous lesions and intense itching, significantly impacting the patient’s quality of life

Eczema, also known as Atopic dermatitis, is a prevalent chronic and recurrent condition marked by pruritus and a disruption of the epidermal barrier function8. This skin condition leads to inflammation, irritation, and redness9.

Chemotherapy extravasation is when chemotherapy drugs leak into the surrounding tissue instead of entering the intended vein. This can lead to symptoms such as pain, swelling, redness, blistering or even ulcers in the affected area and can cause damage to the surrounding tissues10.

Radiation therapy frequently leads to radiation dermatitis, a condition that affects a significant proportion of patients undergoing treatment, with rates reaching up to 85%. This condition can result in moderate-to-severe skin reactions, characterized by distinct changes like swelling, redness, pigmentation disturbances, and tissue necrosis11. Radiation dermatitis can present as acute erythema and peeling, or as chronic effects, including skin thinning, visible blood vessels (telangiectasias), and fibrosis12. Acute radiation dermatitis appears as skin lesions caused by ionizing radiation and typically emerges within days or weeks after treatment, while chronic radiation effects may manifest months or even years after radiation therapy. The impact of radiation therapy on healthy tissues is evident in cell death, particularly noticeable in regenerating tissues like the epidermis and mucosal epithelia13.

Radiation dermatitis can manifest as acute erythema and desquamation, or as chronic effects including skin atrophy, telangiectasias, and fibrosis14. Chronic radiation can be observed months or years after the radiation therapy unlike acute radiation that can be seen days or weeks after the treatment. The effect of radiation therapy has on healthy tissues can be even seen by cell death and it is easily shown on renewing tissues like the epidermis and mucosal epithelia15.