Targeted Drug Side Effects Add to Cancer Costs

The average cost of treating each cancer patient who came into a dermatology clinic with skin, hair and nail complaints was almost $2,000, researchers reported this week. That included expenses related to doctors' appointments, dermatology medications and lab tests.

Some patients with skin problems may have to delay or alter their treatment regimen if side effects are too severe, researchers said.

"Dermatologic side effects including skin irritation and dry skin are the two topmost concerns that patients have that they did not expect during therapy," said Dr. Mario Lacouture from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Center Center in New York, who worked on the study.

"They were prepared to get hair loss, they were prepared to get some nausea and diarrhea, but they weren't expecting to get all these skin issues," he told Reuters Health.

Read more at: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/12/21/us-targeted-drug-side-effects-idUSTRE7BK25020111221

Source: Reuters