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

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Abstract

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.

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Author notes

  1. Dorte Winther

    Present address: , Edisonsvej 7, 8260, Viby J, Denmark

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Section of Clinical Research, Department of Oncology, Aarhus Sygehus, Nørrebrogade 44, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark

    Dorte Winther & Anders Bonde Jensen

  2. Afsnit for Mykologi og Parasitologi Statens Serum Institut (ABMP), bygn. 45/112, Artillerivej 5, 2300, Copenhagen S, Denmark

    Ditte Marie Saunte

  3. Department of Oncology, Aalborg Sygehus, Hobrovej 18-22, 9000, Aalborg, Denmark

    Marianne Knap

  4. Department of Oncology, Viborg Sygehus, Heibergs Allé 4, 8800, Viborg, Denmark

    Vera Haahr

Authors
  1. Dorte Winther
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  2. Ditte Marie Saunte
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  3. Marianne Knap
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  4. Vera Haahr
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  5. Anders Bonde Jensen
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Dorte Winther.

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Winther, D., Saunte, D.M., Knap, M. et al. Nail changes due to docetaxel—a neglected side effect and nuisance for the patient. Support Care Cancer 15, 1191–1197 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-007-0232-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-007-0232-0

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