Chemotherapy-induced acral erythema

Chemotherapy-induced acral erythema (pronunciation: ke-mo-ther-a-pee in-duced ak-ral er-i-thee-ma), also known as hand-foot syndrome or Palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia, is a skin condition that occurs as a side effect of certain chemotherapy drugs.

Etymology

The term "acral" is derived from the Greek word "akron" meaning extremity, while "erythema" comes from the Greek word "erythros" meaning red. The term "chemotherapy-induced" refers to the cause of the condition, which is the administration of chemotherapy drugs.

Definition

Chemotherapy-induced acral erythema is characterized by redness, swelling, and pain in the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. It is a common side effect of certain chemotherapy drugs, including doxorubicin, fluorouracil, and capecitabine.

Symptoms

Symptoms of chemotherapy-induced acral erythema typically appear within the first few weeks of starting chemotherapy treatment. They may include:

Redness and swelling in the palms and soles
Pain and sensitivity in the affected areas
Peeling of the skin
Blisters or sores in severe cases

Treatment

Treatment for chemotherapy-induced acral erythema primarily involves managing the symptoms. This may include:

Using topical creams to soothe the skin
Taking over-the-counter pain relievers
Avoiding activities that put pressure on the hands and feet

In some cases, the chemotherapy dosage may need to be adjusted or the treatment may need to be paused until the symptoms improve.

Related Terms

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Chemotherapy-induced acral erythema
Wikipedia's article - Chemotherapy-induced acral erythema

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Chemotherapy-induced acral erythema