Background: Skin lesions may help clinicians to diagnose and evaluate pediatric malignancies. However chemotherapy and radiotherapy have major role to fight cancer, they also have destructive side effect on skin and mucous membranes.
Aim of Study: to be aware of their side effects on skin apparatus and to clarify initial skin lesions that may precede appearance of neoplasm.
Methods: In this Prospective study, 199 patients diagnosed as malignancies in Pediatric oncology department at Nasser Institute Hospital and Benha University Hospitals during the period from November 2017 to May 2018. Complete clinical history was taken, systemic and local examination was carried for all the patients. Detailed dermatological examination was performed at initial presentation and when any mucocutaneous sign appeared. Biopsies taken when needed. Imaging of all positive signs to evaluate and follow up.
Results: 122 males (61.31%) compared to 77 females (38.69%). Hematological malignancies constitute 103(51.75%) and Non-Hematological 96 case (48.25%). The most prevalent sign was chemotherapy induced alopecia which found in 145(72.86%). Infections were the second in 23 cases (60.53%). Drug reaction, echymosis, radio-related dermatitis and oral mucositis found in 8(21.05%), 3(7.89%), 1(2.63%) and 6(15.79%) patients respectively. Some specific skin lesions precede the systemic appearance of the malignancies. Leukemia Cutis and Histiocytosis were encountered in our study in 1(2.63%) and 5(13.16%) respectively.
Conclusion: Alopecia found in 72.86%, Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis may presented with skin lesions initially, Neutropenic patients have higher risk to skin lesions.