A new paper published in the November/December edition of the Oncology Issues journal is part of an effort by Adam Friedman, MD, professor of dermatology and the director of translational research in the Department of Dermatology at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS), and third-year MD student Stephanie Kao to raise awareness of the importance of supportive oncodermatology.
The GW Cancer Center’s Supportive Oncodermatology clinic, directed by Friedman, is dedicated to the dermatologic health of cancer patients in active treatment, as well as cancer survivors. However, a gap exists in understanding of the specialty between oncologists and dermatologists.
Through the Oncology Issues article, titled “Supportive Oncodermatology: Addressing Dermatologic Adverse Events Associated with Oncologic Therapies,” Friedman and Kao set out to raise awareness of the importance of supportive oncodermatology and how dermatologists and oncologists could work together to optimize cancer treatments for their patients.
“Publishing this article is an important step in spreading awareness of this important specialty that has goals of increasing quality of life and improving anticancer interventions,” Friedman said.
The emerging specialty pairing oncology and dermatology aims to address skin-related side effects associated with cancer therapies. It highlights the most common dermatologic adverse events, and it also offers interventional strategies aimed at improving cancer care and the quality of life of cancer patients.
Kao added that working with Friedman on the article as a medical student meant a great deal to her. “It’s a testament to the importance of finding a good mentor who will help mold me into a future physician during my training,” she said.
“I look forward to seeing how supportive oncodermatology will grow as a field and hope to one day contribute as a physician scientist,” Kao added.
