Hand-foot syndrome, also known as palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia, is a side effect caused by some chemotherapeutic agents and some molecular targeting drugs, which can affect the skin of the hands and/or feet of patients. Among the chemotherapeutic agents that most frequently cause hand-foot syndrome are:
Among the molecular targeting drugs that can cause hand-foot syndrome, the main one is sorafenib.
This side effect is characterized by an initial presentation of paresthesia, which can then progress to skin redness (erythema), cracks, and, in some cases, pain. In more severe cases, there may be peeling, blister formation, and secondary infections.
In some cases, reducing the chemotherapy dose or the molecular targeting drug may be sufficient to improve hand-foot syndrome. In other cases, temporary discontinuation of treatment may be necessary.
Currently, certain anti-inflammatory drugs are being evaluated for the treatment of hand-foot syndrome, with promising results. Additionally, topical application of emollients, mainly lanolin-based, may be beneficial.
Additional measures such as wearing comfortable shoes and avoiding hot water for washing the affected areas are usually recommended.
