Simple gel may shield cancer patients from painful chemo side effect

This study looked at whether applying a topical anti-inflammatory gel (diclofenac) to the hands and feet could prevent or delay a painful skin reaction called Hand-Foot Syndrome in patients receiving capecitabine chemotherapy for colorectal or gastric cancer. About 150 patients were observed, with some using the gel and others receiving standard monitoring. The main goal was to see if the gel reduced the occurrence of moderate-to-severe skin reactions.