Supportive Oncodermatology Clinic

Providing Optimal Care to Patients with Dermatologic Needs Resulting from Cancer and Cancer Treatments

The Department of Dermatology at the George Washington (GW) Medical Faculty Associates, the largest independent physician practice group in the D.C. region with more than 750 providers and 51 clinical specialties, is proud to announce the establishment of the Supportive Oncodermatology Clinic/Program. 

What is Supportive Oncodermatology?

The major shift in chemotherapeutics in the last decade has been driven by the development of “targeted” agents. This has resulted in improved patient survival, but, unfortunately, a wide spectrum of dermatologic toxicities affecting the majority of patients. Their significant burden on patients ' quality of life (QoL) has heightened the importance of dermatologic health in cancer patients, leading to the emergence of “supportive oncodermatology,” a discipline dedicated to dermatologic health in cancer patients undergoing therapy, as well as cancer survivors.

The field of supportive oncodermatology can facilitate improved awareness of dermatologic toxicities and research efforts, with the mutual goal of maximizing quality of life, and importantly, optimizing utilization of potentially life-prolonging anticancer interventions. In partnership with the newly-established GW Cancer Center, the Supportive Oncodermatology Program will serve the comprehensive dermatologic needs of cancer patients by addressing issues such as:

• Excessive dry skin
• Itching
• Skin changes as side effects from chemotherapy/biologics (including rashes, nail, and hair changes)
• Skin infections
• Radiation dermatitis

Importantly, the program also will address skin cancer as both a prior history of any form of cancer, as well as utilization of targeted cancer therapies, can increase the risk for both non-melanoma and melanoma skin cancers.

Leveraging the expertise of GW’s growing Department of Dermatology and the GW Cancer Center, the priority for the Supportive Oncodermatology Program will be to offer patients the most effective protection from and treatment for the broad array of cancer and treatment associated skin sequalae.

Dr. Adam Friedman, Professor of Dermatology, Residency Program Director, and Director of Translational Research in the Department of Dermatology will serve as Director of the Supportive Oncodermatology Program.

More About the Supportive Oncodermatology Clinic

The GW Cancer Center and La Roche Posay Partnership

The GW Cancer Center and La Roche Posay have a unique partnership centered on the prevention and treatment of skin related adverse effects of chemotherapy. Under the direction of Dr. Adam Friedman, this sponsorship provides funding for navigation services to ensure that patients have rapid access to the clinic so that issue are resolved early, dramatically improving outcomes. In addition, this partnership provides funding for the development of educational materials for both oncology providers as well as patients.

Supportive Oncodermatology in the News

• Bullous Disorders Tied to PD-1/PD-L1 Inhibitors in Real-World Analysis (M.D. Alert, Febuary 2020)
• Treating Nasty Cancer Side Effects (Ivanhoe News, November 2019)
• Dr. Adam Friedman Explains the Field of Supportive Oncodermatology (Dermcast TV, September 2019)
• Supportive Oncodermatology Program Recognized as Top 2019 Project by International Awards for Social Responsibility in Dermatology (June 2019)
• Dermatologists Can Help Ease Adverse Effects of Cancer Drugs (Medscape, March 2019)
• The Skin After Cancer (Practical Dermatology, February 2019)
• Are Cannabinoids the Future of Dermatology? (The Dermatologist, February 2019)
• Overcoming Barriers to Dermatological Treatment (Next Steps in Derm, January 2019)
• Cannabinoids: The Next Big Therapy in Dermatology? (The Dermatologist, December 2018)
• Supportive Oncodermatology: Addressing Dermatoloic Adverse Events Associated with Oncologic Therapies (Oncology Issues, November 2018)
• Side Effects from Cancer Treatment Can Feel Worse Than the Illness, but There is Help (WUSA9, September 2018)

The Shelly Goldin Memorial Supportive Oncodermatology Fund

The Shelly Goldin Memorial Supportive Oncodermatology Fund was established to support initiatives and research that will lead to better care for patients during and after cancer treatment.

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