Hand and Foot Syndrome Associated with Capecitabine

Abstract

Having cancer impacts the patient both psychologically and physically. However, if cancer is accompanied with HFS, the patient’s condition gets even worse. Capecitabine is a prodrug approved to treat several types of cancer such as breast and colorectal cancer. It is associated with several adverse effects such as hand and foot syndrome (HFS) which mostly affects the palms and legs. The provoked mechanisms of HFS are not clear yet. They require further validation of HFS pathogenesis. Up to now, prevention and treatment of HFS are not clearly solidified. Evidence supports the use of celecoxib, urea-based creams, and vitamin E to reduce the severity and the incidence of HFS. This review aims to provide the gaps and ways to further clinical evaluations.