Skin reactions during radiotherapy for breast cancer: the use and impact of topical agents and dressings

Radiation skin reactions occur in the majority of cases of patients undergo ing radiotherapy for breast cancer with varying degrees of severity. Guidel ines for skin care and for the use of topical agents and dressings have dev eloped over the years of practice but there is little empirical evidence on which to base a decision for best practice. This paper describes the incid ence of radiation skin reactions in a sample of 126 women treated for breas t cancer post-lumpectomy. The results show that by the end of whole breast irradiation between 4-8% of patients will have no reaction and less than 10 % will have moist desquamation as measured by the RTOG acute scoring system . The majority of patients did not require application of a topical agent d uring the treatment period. Statistical analysis of relationships between t he severity of radiation skin reaction and the use of topical agents found no support for additional healing or preventative benefit. However, these t opical agents were found to promote comfort. The use of Fixomull(TM) as a p rotector and potential preventive measure for moist desquamation is describ ed.