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How do you manage hand-foot syndrome associated with capecitabine (and other conventional chemotherapy agents)?

Do you prescribe creams (e.g., urea) to prevent HFS, or is their use generally more reactive?
1 Answer
Mednet MemberInvited Expert
Medical Oncology · Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah
Answered on

In the breast cancer world, I see hand-foot syndrome most commonly with capecitabine. I have used topical 10% urea cream with a reasonable amount of success. I have noticed that using it prophylactically seems to help with the prevention of hand-foot syndrome to quite an extent. A couple of randomized trials comparing topical urea cream to placebo have had conflicting results, with one showing reduced incidence while the opposite was seen in the other trial. Both trials had a similar intensity of hand-foot syndrome on both arms of the study. Other than topical urea cream, reducing the dose of chemotherapy helps to a great extent. I use capecitabine at 1250 mg/m2 twice a day on a 2 week in and 1 week off schedule for patients with triple-neg...

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