FREQUENCY OF VIRAL DERMATOLOGICAL INFECTIONS IN CANCER PATIENTS

Abstract

Objectives: To check the occurrence and trend of viral skin infections in patients with oncological problems. Moreover, the goal was to study its association with some demographic or medical category.

Study Design: Cross-sectional

Study Setting and Duration: The Department of Medicine at Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Center, Lahore, from 01 March 2025 to 31 May  2025.

Methodology: In total, the study included 200 patients with the age range from 15 to 65 years by nonprobability consecutive sampling method. All participants underwent a clinical examination in order to find out whether they had viral dermatosis. Data were processed using SPSS, ver. 25. Quantitative data were presented as MEAN ± SD, whereas qualitative data were shown in frequencies and percentages. The chi-square method was used for statistical analysis.

Results: The mean age and the mean BMI of the studied group were 44.13±9.65 years and 25.64±3.11 kg/m², respectively. Viral dermatoses were diagnosed in 6 percent (12 cases) of the cancer patients. Herpes virus infections were the most common (8 cases, 4 percent). The virus infections were significantly associated with the type of cancer (p<0.001), stage of cancer (p=0.013), overcrowding (p<0.001), and treatment type (p=0.042).

Conclusion: Overall, viral skin diseases were diagnosed in 6.0% of all cancer patients, with herpes viruses as the most common form. Higher incidences were seen in cancer patients suffering from blood cancers, advanced stage of the disease, and those living in large households, as well as after chemotherapy.