Chemotherapy is a common treatment for killing tumorous masses. Chemotherapy is an effective treatment because the chemotherapeutic drugs impair mitosis (cell division), effectively killing most fast dividing cells. Since tumors are composed of cells with unregulated cell growth, this serves as a very effective treatment. However, tumors are not the only fast growing cells in the body. A common side-effect of chemotherapy is the lost of a patient’s hair, another source of fast growing cells. The nails are also composed of rapidly dividing cells, and will typically suffer too.
A chemotherapy patient may notice that the pigment of his or her nails begins to change. Nails can become discolored as the nail root cells are killed by the chemotherapeutic drugs. These dead cells are pushed out as new nail root cells are produced, leaving discoloration in the nail. The effect of chemotherapy on the nails effects keratin production, the protein that gives nails their strength and rigidity. The effect on keratin can cause nails to become brittle and prevent nails from growing long. The nail bed may also become dry, and the cuticles may begin to peel. In some cases, the nail may separate from the nail bed. Nail damage is a common side effect of the taxane group of chemotherapy drugs (docetaxel, pacitaxel, and anthracyclines). These drugs stop mitosis, which means stopping the growth of tumors and fast dividing cells.
While these side-effects can be unpleasant, it is important to remember that these effects are also reversible. While it may take some time following treatment, it is rare that nails will not return to their original appearance. Nail cells are fast growing, and when no longer inhibited by chemotherapeutic drugs, will resume normal growth. For chemotherapy patients, proper nail protection is important. Nails provide primary protection from infection, and maintaining this protection is important. Protecting the skin and nails with gloves and limiting the use of hands can prevent damaging fragile nails. Use of light gardening gloves can prevent worsening of nail lifting and keep fragile nails from breaking.