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.

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.