The National Cancer Institute expected approximately 194,000 new cases of breast cancer to be diagnosed in the United States in 2009, with incident rates in women reaching one in eight. Chemotherapy regimes for breast cancer patients depend on a variety of factors, including staging at the time of diagnosis. Staging categorizes how much the cancer has spread using numbers one through four. Two particular classes of chemo drugs commonly used to treat breast cancer, taxanes and anthracyclines, are known to affect nail growth.
Nail Growth
The nail plate, the hardened surface overlying the nail bed, is made from a protein called keratin, which is also in your skin and hair. The matrix, or root of the nail, produces the keratin and is responsible for the size and shape of your nail. Typically, fingernails grow approximately 1/10 of an inch per month or 3 mm. If a nail falls off, it can take about six months to grow back from the base. Fingernails grow at a faster rate than toenails and are therefore more likely to be affected by chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a systemic treatment, meaning it travels through your bloodstream to all parts of your body. It works by slowing or stopping fast-growing cells from reproducing. Chemo drugs do not differentiate between normal, healthy cells like the ones in your nails and cancer cells. Because your nails are constantly regenerating, they are susceptible to changes once treatment starts. Chemotherapy for breast cancer patients is often given in a three-drug cocktail. These drugs are given in different combinations and amounts.
Nail Changes
Some possible nail changes you may experience can include dryness, brittleness and discoloration. Nails may not grow as long as usual and may break easily. You may develop lines or ridges with each cycle, one line per cycle, which will grow out once treatment ends. A nail can also loosen or even fall off. If this happens, you may be at risk for infection and should consult your doctor.
Expert Insight
Lori Santoro, nurse educator at CancerCare Manitoba's Breast Cancer Center of Hope, cites a study from F. Scotte in the July 2005 "Journal of Clinical Oncology," which showed keeping nails cool during the administration of chemotherapy may help protect the nails. This treatment is referred to as cryotherapy. "The cold application causes vasoconstriction (a tightening of the blood vessels) and this helps lessen the amount of drugs reaching the nail tissue." Fingertips can be placed in ice chips or the patient can wear cold gel pack gloves and booties during chemotherapy.
Considerations
Proper nail care is important while undergoing chemotherapy to prevent any infection in the area. You should avoid professional manicures and artificial nails. Try not to injure your nails in any way by cutting them too short or biting them and wear protective gloves while doing any gardening or outdoor work. If at any time you develop redness around the cuticle or bleeding from the nail bed, contact your doctor.
