Article

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

Related Videos
Screenshot of an interview with Ruben Mesa, MD
dr carol regueiro
Joshua K. Sabari, MD, NYU Langone Perlmutter Cancer Center
dr carol regueiro
Screenshot of Adam Colborn, JD during an interview
Justin Oldham, MD, MS, an expert on IPF
Ruben Mesa, MD
Amit Garg, MD, Northwell Health
Related Content
AJMC Managed Markets Network Logo
CH LogoCenter for Biosimilars Logo