在医学的浩瀚宇宙中，有一种现象让许多癌症患者和他们的家人感到困惑和不安——那就是皮肤瘙痒，当我们的身体与癌症这个“不速之客”共舞时，它似乎总爱在皮肤上留下一些“小礼物”——痒，这究竟是为什么呢？让我们来一场“痒”的医学探险吧！
免疫系统的“误报”
我们要知道，癌症是一种由异常细胞在体内无序增殖引起的疾病，在这个过程中，我们的免疫系统会变得异常兴奋，仿佛被调成了“警报模式”，它开始四处巡逻，试图消灭那些“叛变”的细胞，但在这个过程中，它也可能误伤到正常的细胞，包括皮肤细胞，这种“误报”会导致皮肤出现炎症反应,进而引发瘙痒感。
药物的“副作用”
治疗癌症的过程中，药物是不可或缺的“武器”，这些药物虽然能杀死癌细胞，但同时也可能对其他正常细胞造成伤害，包括皮肤细胞，化疗药物、靶向治疗药物等，都可能引起皮肤干燥、敏感，甚至出现皮疹等，这些都会导致皮肤瘙痒，这就像是在与癌细胞作战的同时，我们的皮肤也在经历一场“内战”。
荷尔蒙的“捣乱”
癌症及其治疗还可能影响体内的荷尔蒙水平，某些癌症（如淋巴瘤）或治疗（如放疗）可能导致体内雌激素水平升高，而高水平的雌激素与皮肤瘙痒之间存在一定的关联，化疗还可能影响肝脏功能，导致胆汁酸盐在体内积聚，进而引发瘙痒，这就像是一场由荷尔蒙引发的“恶作剧”。
心理的“共鸣”
别忘了心理因素在其中的作用，癌症本身就足以让人感到焦虑、紧张和不安，而这些情绪变化也可能通过神经-内分泌系统影响到皮肤的感觉，就像是一首交响乐中的某个音符，虽然它不是主旋律,但却能引起整个乐章的共鸣。
一场复杂的“痒”剧
癌症病人皮肤瘙痒的原因是多方面的、复杂的，既有生理上的“误报”和“副作用”，也有心理上的“共鸣”，面对这种情况，我们首先要做的是保持冷静，了解这是治疗过程中的一部分，与医生保持密切沟通，调整治疗方案或使用一些外用药物来缓解症状，虽然“痒”可能让人感到不适，但它也是我们战胜癌症路上的一名“特殊伙伴”。
Full Translation:
Why Do Cancer Patients Experience Skin Itchiness? — A "Itchy" Medical Adventure
In the vast universe of medicine, there is a phenomenon that confuses and disturbs many cancer patients and their families—that is, skin itchiness. When our bodies dance with cancer, this "uninvited guest" seems to leave some "gifts" on the skin—itchiness. So, why does this happen? Let's embark on a "itchy" medical adventure!
The Immune System's "False Alarm"
Firstly, we need to understand that cancer is a disease caused by the uncontrolled proliferation of abnormal cells in the body. In this process, our immune system becomes hyperactive, like being set to "alert mode." It starts patrolling everywhere, trying to eliminate those "rebel" cells, but in the process, it may also harm normal cells, including skin cells. This "false alarm" leads to an inflammatory response in the skin, which in turn causes itchiness.
Drug "Side Effects"
During cancer treatment, drugs are indispensable "weapons." However, while these drugs can kill cancer cells, they may also harm other normal cells, including skin cells. Chemotherapy drugs, targeted therapy drugs, etc., may all cause skin dryness, sensitivity, or even rashes, which can all lead to skin itchiness. This is like an "internal war" our skin is experiencing while fighting against cancer cells.
Hormonal "Mischief"
Cancer and its treatment may also affect hormonal levels in the body. For example, certain cancers (such as lymphoma) or treatments (such as radiation therapy) may cause an increase in estrogen levels in the body, and there is a certain correlation between high estrogen levels and skin itchiness. Additionally, chemotherapy can affect liver function, leading to the accumulation of bile acids in the body, which can also cause itchiness. This is like a "prank" played by hormones.
Psychological "Resonance"
Lastly, don't forget the role of psychological factors. Cancer itself is enough to make people feel anxious, tense, and uneasy, and these emotional changes may also affect skin sensation through the neuro-endocrine system. It's like a certain note in a symphony that, although not the main melody, can cause resonance throughout the entire piece.
