Nail changes due to chemotherapy: a prospective observational study of 129 patients.

BACKGROUND: Nail changes due to systemic drugs are common, especially with anticancer treatments due to involvement of nail plate, nail bed and periungual area.

OBJECTIVE: To study the pattern of nail changes occurring due to chemotherapy in patients suffering from various malignancies.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective, observational study was conducted at various health care centres, Nashik, India, for 15 months. The timing of administration of chemotherapy and onset of nail changes were recorded and evaluated by a dermatologist at regular interval.

RESULTS: A total of 129 diagnosed cases of various malignancies who received chemotherapy were included. The most common malignancy noted was breast cancer, that is n = 42 (32.5%) followed by oral cancer, that is n = 24 (18.6%). Chemotherapy agents included taxanes (n = 54), cyclophosphamide (n = 42) and prednisolone (n = 28). Nail changes were noted in 92 patients (71.3%). The most common nail changes observed were chromonychia (n = 70, 54.26%), followed by nail dystrophy (n = 38, 29.45%).

CONCLUSION: Nail toxicity is quite common side effect of anticancer agents. Nail changes due to chemotherapy depend on the nail structure involved and the severity of insult. Awareness among dermatologists and oncologists of these nail changes and their culprit agent can promote early diagnosis and may avoid inadvertent measures.