Scalp cooling to prevent chemotherapy-induced alopecia

Abstract Chemotherapy-induced alopecia causes an important impact on cancer patients and its risk of persistence is currently a considerable issue in cancer survivors. Of the various interventions proposed for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced alopecia, scalp cooling has emerged as an effective and safe strategy. This paper aims to provide an overview on scalp cooling and chemotherapy-induced alopecia prevention.

Management of dermatologic adverse events from cancer therapies: recommendations of an expert panel

Abstract With the development of new cancer therapies, systemic toxicity profile and effects on survival achieved an important improvement. However, a constellation of toxicities has emerged, even more remarkably, cutaneous adverse events. This report, developed by a board of Brazilian experts in oncodermatology, aims to establish a guideline for the dermatological care of oncologic patients. When possible, evidence-based recommendations were made, but in many cases, when strong evidence was not available, a consensus was reached, based on some data supporting therapies combined with personal experiences.

Vemurafenib and cutaneous adverse events - report of five cases

Vemurafenib is a selective inhibitor of V600E-mutant BRAF protein used to treat metastatic and unresectable melanoma. Clinical trials have shown increased overall survival and progression-free survival in patients treated with Vemurafenib. However, cutaneous adverse events are common during treatment. We report fi ve cases of metastatic melanoma with BRAF V600E positivity, treated with Vemurafenib and its cutaneous adverse events. Dermatologists and oncologists need to be aware of possible skin changes caused by this medication, which is increasingly employed in melanoma treatment. Monitoring of patients during therapy is important for early treatment of adverse cutaneous cutaneous adverse events, improvement in quality of life and adherence to treatment.

Comparação do comportamento social de pacientes esquizofrênicos vivendo na comunidade e utilizando antipsicóticos típicos e atípicos / Comparison of social behavior of schizophrenic patients living in the community and using typical and atypical antipsychotics

A desinstitucionalização de pacientes psiquiátricos é observada em muitos países e tem gerado um interesse sem precedentes pela avaliação do comportamento social desses indivíduos na comunidade. Os objetivos deste estudo são identificar os problemas de comportamento social apresentados por uma amostra de pacientes esquizofrênicos vivendo na comunidade e avaliar se o número desses problemas difere entre pacientes utilizando diferentes antipsicóticos. A amostra inclui cem pacientes ambulatoriais com diagnóstico de esquizofrenia pelos critérios do Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV (DSM-IV), que estavam utilizando a mesma medicação antipsicótica por pelo menos seis meses. As medicações eram as seguintes: decanoato de haloperidol (n = 23), clozapina (31), risperidona (30) e olanzapina (16). O comportamento social foi avaliado em entrevistas com informantes-chave através da Social Behaviour Schedule (SBS). Apenas 16 pacientes estavam empregados e cinco estudavam. Setenta e quatro apresentaram problema em pelo menos uma área comportamental. Os problemas de comportamento mais prevalentes foram: rir ou falar sozinho (31 por cento), hipoatividade (29 por cento), esquisitice e impropriedades na conversação (24 por cento), poucos contatos sociais espontâneos (18 por cento) e incoerência na conversação (14 por cento). Não houve diferença significativa no número de problemas apresentados por pacientes utilizando diferentes antipsicóticos. Apesar de os pacientes estarem utilizando medicação antipsicótica, foi encontrada uma alta prevalência de problemas de comportamento social, especialmente naqueles relacionados a distúrbio do pensamento e retraimento social.