Latin America Cutaneous Oncology Management (LACOM) I: The Role of Skin Care in Oncology Patients and Survivors

March 2025 | Volume 24 | Issue 3 | 262 | Copyright © March 2025


Published online March 1, 2025

doi:10.36849/JDD.8565

Daniel Alcala Perez MDa, Ana Sofia Acosta Madiedo MDb, Sebastian Andreani MDc, Anneke Andriessen PhDd, Hebert Cardenas MDe, Marcela Moreno MDf, Daniel Motola Kuba MDg, Julia Riganti MDh, Jose Enrique Ollague MDi, Mario Lacouture MD FAADj, Alejandra Toquica MDk

aDermatologist and Dermato-Oncologist, Vice President, Mexican Society of Dermatology, Professor of Dermatology,
Centro Dermatologico Dr. Ladislao de la Pascua, Mexico City, Mexico
bMount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach, FL
cDermatology Department, Universidad del Desarrollo, Facultad de Medicina Clínica Alemana, Santiago, Region Metropolitana, Chile
dRadboud UMC, Andriessen Consultants, Malden, The Netherlands
eInstituto Peruano de Energia Nuclear, Peru
fJefe Oncodermatologia instituto oncologico Alexander Fleming, Argentina
gMedica Sur Hospital, Onology Center, Mexico City, Mexico
hHospital General Guasmo Sur, Ministry of Health. Guayaquil, Ecuador
iHospital General Guasmo Sur, Ministry of Health. Guayaquil, Ecuador
jDirector Onco-Dermatology Program, NYU-Langone, Long Island, NY
kOncodermatology Department, Hospital Universitario San Ignacio, Fundacion CTIC, Bogota, Colombia

Abstract
Background: Cancer-treatment-related cutaneous adverse events (cAEs) are common and may severely impact quality of life (QoL) and decrease treatment outcomes. The Latin American Cutaneous Oncology Management (LACOM) project provides clinical insights into cancer-treatment-related cAEs, offering tools for preventing and managing cAEs.
Methods: LACOM I focuses on integrating education, prophylactic measures, and skincare in cancer treatment to improve treatment adherence, outcomes, and patients' and survivors' QoL.
Results: The LACOM panel provides evidence and opinion-based best practice recommendations for oncology skincare programs to support all stakeholders in the Latin American healthcare setting (Argentina, Chili, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, and Mexico) working with oncology patients throughout the entire continuum of care to achieve optimal outcomes, improving cancer patients and survivors' QoL. Oncology skincare programs comprise hygiene, moisturization, and sun protection with products that should be safe and help to minimize cAEs and improve skin conditions.
Conclusions: Integrating education, general measures, and skincare programs into cancer treatment should encourage the adoption of a proactive role of skincare from the beginning of treatment and ongoing, supporting optimal outcomes and improving cancer patients' and survivors' QoL.

J Drugs Dermatol. 2025;24(3):262-268. doi:10.36849/JDD.8565

INTRODUCTION

Socioeconomic development is associated with cancer's prevalence and distribution. According to the GLOBOCAN Estimates of Incidence and Mortality Worldwide, the estimated incidence rate (ASR) for males and females in South America and the Caribbean in 2020 was 199.1 and 178.8, respectively, and 186.5 combined. The age-standardized mortality rate was 98.1, 78.2, and 86.5 for males, females, and both sexes combined.1 The 5 most common types of cancers, excluding Non-melanoma skin cancer, for women were breast, colorectal, cervical, thyroid, and lung, and prostate, colorectal, lung, stomach, and bladder for men.1 For females in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Panama, and Mexico, breast cancer was the most common type, whereas for Peru and Ecuador, cervical cancer leads.1 Argentina's estimated ASR is 215 cases per 100,000 people, 211 for Chile, 153 for Colombia, 125 for Ecuador, 135 for Panama, 126 for Peru, and 139 for Mexico.1 Cultural differences in diet, smoking, obesity, behavior and lifestyle, and socioeconomic factors have all been reported to differ by ethnicity and have significant effects on cancer incidence and mortality rates.1 Although incidence continues to increase, advancements in therapy have contributed to an increase in survival and prevalence; now, more than ever, patients are living with cancer.1 The increase in survival has led to a rise in patients living with cutaneous adverse events (cAEs) or sequelae of cancer treatments.2-10 Several treatment