The Tolerability of Sorafenib in Thyroid Cancer

Marcia S. Brose, MD, PhD, assistant professor, Abramson Cancer Center, Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania, discusses the tolerability and safety of sorafenib as seen in patients with thyroid cancer.

Marcia S. Brose, MD, PhD, assistant professor, Abramson Cancer Center, Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania, discusses the tolerability and safety of sorafenib as seen in patients with thyroid cancer.

Clinical Pearls:

  • Sorafenib is well tolerated.
  • Only one treatment-related death was seen in the DECISION trial, which looked at sorafenib for patients with locally advanced or metastatic radioactive iodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (RAI-rDTC).
  • Most of the side effects from the drug, including hand-foot skin reaction, other skin rashes, alopecia and nausea, are controllable with over the counter medications.
  • Some patients are even able to maintain their work schedule while being treated with sorafenib.