The management of skin reactions during epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors in patients with colorectal cancer

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a transmembrane glycoprotein expressed by a number of cell types of epithelial origin. The use of EGFR inhibitors is associated with various adverse effects, including the most common ones: skin reactions (the so-called skin toxicity) developing in over half of the treated patients. Their intensification is often the reason for drug dose reduction or even treatment discontinuance. In view of the existing relationship between the response to treatment with EGFR inhibitors, expressed as progression-free survival or overall survival, and the skin reactions, it is currently recommended to opt for managing and alleviating the skin reactions rather than for reducing the drug dose or discontinuing the therapy with EGFR inhibitors. There is available only a limited amount of data from clinical trials on this issue, hence the need to collate and systematise the information concerning the practical approach to adverse effects involving skin. The data contained in this publication may prove useful in everyday clinical practice and facilitate the decision-making as regards the prevention, treatment and alleviation of skin lesions, as well as the therapeutic approach with the use of EGFR inhibitors itself. An effective treatment of skin symptoms ensures appropriate drug dosage and adequate quality of life of the patient.