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Journal of Cancer Research and... 2022Radiation-induced mucositis and dermatitis are severe side effects and compromise the health of the head-and-neck cancer patient undergoing treatment. Zinc...
BACKGROUND
Radiation-induced mucositis and dermatitis are severe side effects and compromise the health of the head-and-neck cancer patient undergoing treatment. Zinc supplementation during the course of the treatment is shown to have protective effects against both radiation-induced mucositis and dermatitis. The aim of this study was to understand whether the level of serum zinc has an effect on the development of mucositis and dermatitis.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This was noninterventional study where the levels of serum zinc were ascertained before the start of treatment by spectrophotometric methods. The patients were treated every day with no more than one fraction of 2 Gy per day, five times a week without any intended gaps for a planned target dose of 60-70 Gy (6-7 consecutive weeks). The patients were assessed for radiation-induced dermatitis and mucositis in accordance with the standard guidelines. The association between the levels of serum zinc with the development of different grades of mucositis and dermatitis (on the day of development) was ascertained using the Pearson correlation coefficient (r). A statistical value of P < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.
RESULTS
A total of 52 consecutive patients satisfying the inclusion criteria were enrolled. The results indicate that serum zinc levels showed a significant correlation (r = 0.29; P < 0.038) for Grade 1, while it was insignificant for Grades 2 and 3. For dermatitis, a significant correlation for all the grades (Grade 1 [r = 0.28; P < 0.043]; Grade 2 [r = 0.39; P < 0.006]; and Grade 3 [r = 0.49; P < 0.047]) was observed.
CONCLUSIONS
For the first time, the results of this pilot study indicate that the serum level of zinc had an inverse association with the early development of mucositis and dermatitis, with better effects seen in dermatitis where it was also effective in Grades 2 and 3.
Topics: Head and Neck Neoplasms; Humans; Mucositis; Pilot Projects; Radiodermatitis; Radiotherapy; Stomatitis; Zinc
PubMed: 35381760
DOI: 10.4103/jcrt.JCRT_344_20 -
The Breast Journal Jul 2020
Topics: Breast; Breast Neoplasms; Female; Humans; Quinolones; Radiodermatitis
PubMed: 31999006
DOI: 10.1111/tbj.13756 -
International Wound Journal Aug 2023Ulcer in radiation-damaged tissue is a dilemma with limited treatment strategies. The study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of regional flaps for patients with...
Ulcer in radiation-damaged tissue is a dilemma with limited treatment strategies. The study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of regional flaps for patients with post-radiation ulcers through a 10-year experience. A retrospective study of consecutive patients with post-radiation ulcers at a single institute from 2012 to 2022 was conducted. Reconstruction included complete excision of irradiated tissue and coverage with well-vascularised tissue, including local flaps, regional flaps and free flaps. Study outcomes included complications, reoperation rates, overall flap success and recurrence rates. Thirteen patients (six males and seven females; mean age, 56.85 ± 13.87 years) with a mean 10-month history of post-radiation ulcers were enrolled. Ulcers are predominantly located in the chest (n = 3, 23.1%), head (n = 2, 15.4%) and neck (n = 2, 15.4%), with a mean size of 33.1 cm (range from 1 cm to 120 cm ). Eleven patients underwent reconstruction with 15 regional flaps and three local flaps, one patient received a free anterolateral thigh fasciocutaneous flap and one patient underwent amputation. Among these 15 regional flaps, one (6.7%) had wound dehiscence and four (26.7%) had localised necrosis requiring reoperation. In addition, one patient with a non-healing sinus tract underwent reoperation. The overall success rate of the regional flap was 100% and no recurrence was observed with a mean follow-up of 23.3 months. Regional flaps seem a safe and effective reconstructive method for post-radiation ulcers.
Topics: Male; Female; Humans; Adult; Middle Aged; Aged; Ulcer; Plastic Surgery Procedures; Retrospective Studies; Skin Ulcer; Free Tissue Flaps; Radiodermatitis; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 36751857
DOI: 10.1111/iwj.14103 -
Cancer Treatment and Research... 2021Radiation dermatitis (RD) is a side effect that frequently arises during radiotherapy (RT) in breast cancer patients. The present study investigates possible predictive...
PURPOSE
Radiation dermatitis (RD) is a side effect that frequently arises during radiotherapy (RT) in breast cancer patients. The present study investigates possible predictive factors of RD, as well as the use of skin treatments to manage symptoms.
METHODS
Demographic and treatment characteristics were collected retrospectively, while skin symptoms and treatments were collected prospectively for patients who received adjuvant RT between December 2013 and November 2015. Patients were seen weekly by clinicians throughout treatment, during which a clinician-reported survey was completed on RD symptoms and skin treatments. Possible predictive factors were correlated with skin outcomes through a univariate ordinal logistic regression analysis.
RESULTS
A total of 1093 patients were included in this analysis. Predictive factors for erythema included dose fractionation (p<0.0001), tissue volume irradiated by tangential fields (p = 0.01), and administration of a boost (p = 0.005). High BMI (≥30 kg/m) (p = 0.0004) and boost (p = 0.02) were predictive of edema. A dose of 50 Gy/25 (p<0.0001) and a high irradiated tissue volume (p = 0.0001) were predictive of desquamation. A dose of 50 Gy/25 (p = 0.0005) and high BMI (p = 0.02) were predictors of pain. Bolus use was the only factor associated with bleeding (p = 0.02). Patients who developed desquamation were likely to receive corticosteroids/antihistamines (p<0.0001), topical antibiotics/antifungals (p<0.001), and dressings (p<0.0001).
CONCLUSION
The findings of this study provide evidence of potential predictors of RD and methods of symptom management based on symptom severity. Prevention of RD is needed among high-risk groups, such as patients with a high BMI or receiving a standard fractionation, boost, or bolus.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Breast Neoplasms; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Radiodermatitis; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant
PubMed: 34082363
DOI: 10.1016/j.ctarc.2021.100403 -
Revista Latino-americana de Enfermagem 2018to evaluate the effects of trolamine in the prevention or treatment of radiation dermatitis. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
to evaluate the effects of trolamine in the prevention or treatment of radiation dermatitis.
METHOD
systematic review and meta-analysis. Detailed individual search strategies for Cinahl, Cochrane Library Central, LILACS, PubMed, and Web of Science were developed in January 2016. A manual search was also performed to find additional references. A grey literature search was executed by using Google Scholar. Two researchers independently read the titles and abstracts from every cross-reference. The risk of bias of the included studies was analyzed by the Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias Tool. The quality of evidence and grading of strength of recommendations was assessed using Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE).
RESULTS
seven controlled clinical trials were identified. The controls used were calendula, placebo, institutional preference / usual care, Aquaphor®, RadiaCare™, and Lipiderm™. The studies were pooled using frequency of events and risk ratio with 95% confidence intervals, in subgroups according to radiation dermatitis graduation.
CONCLUSION
based on the studies included in this review, trolamine cannot be considered as a standardized product to prevent or treat radiation dermatitis in patients with breast and head and neck cancer.
Topics: Acute Disease; Ethanolamines; Humans; Radiodermatitis
PubMed: 29742271
DOI: 10.1590/1518-8345.2035.2929 -
Scientific Reports Sep 2023Head and neck cancer (HNC) was the seventh most common cancer in the world in 2018. Treatment of a patient may include surgery, radiotherapy (RT), chemotherapy, targeted...
Head and neck cancer (HNC) was the seventh most common cancer in the world in 2018. Treatment of a patient may include surgery, radiotherapy (RT), chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, or a combination of these methods. Ionizing radiation used during RT covers relatively large volumes of healthy tissue surrounding the tumor. The acute form of radiation-induced dermatitis (ARD) are skin lesions that appear usually within 90 days of the start of RT. This is a prospective study which compares 2244 dermoscopy images and 374 clinical photographs of irradiated skin and healthy skin of 26 patients at on average 15 time points. Dermoscopy pictures were evaluated independently by 2 blinded physicians. Vessels in reticular distribution, white, yellow or brown scale in a patchy distribution, perifollicular pigmentation and follicular plugs arranged in rosettes were most often observed. For these dermoscopic features, agreement with macroscopic features was observed. Two independent predictors of severe acute toxicity were identified: gender and concurrent chemotherapy. Knowledge of dermoscopic features could help in the early assessment of acute toxicity and the immediate implementation of appropriate therapeutic strategies. This may increase the tolerance of RT in these groups of patients.
Topics: Humans; Radiodermatitis; Dermoscopy; Prospective Studies; Radiation Oncology; Head and Neck Neoplasms
PubMed: 37735505
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-42507-1 -
Strahlentherapie Und Onkologie : Organ... Jul 2023We present a case of mild radiation recall dermatitis triggered by cisplatin chemotherapy given simultaneously to re-irradiation. The dermatitis area correlated to skin...
We present a case of mild radiation recall dermatitis triggered by cisplatin chemotherapy given simultaneously to re-irradiation. The dermatitis area correlated to skin exposure of the previous radiation therapy, characterizing the reaction clearly as a recall. Cisplatin has not yet been recognized as a potential trigger for recall reactions. Although it was part of several reported multidrug trigger combinations, all review works referred to cisplatin as not suspicious, suggesting the combination partner as the effector. We performed a focused systematic literature review aiming to re-evaluate the real role of cisplatin as a (co-)triggering factor. In total, 30 reported cases were found, 90% triggered by multidrug combinations. The latter tended to cause more severe symptoms. Besides findings supporting the 20 Gy-threshold theory, no correlation between radiation dose and severity or prevalence was found. Recognition of cisplatin as a trigger of the recall phenomenon and its supportive management may prevent unnecessary cessation of systemic chemotherapy. Systematic reporting of recall events as a secondary endpoint of prospective clinical trials applying radiation therapy could support understanding the recall phenomenon.
Topics: Humans; Cisplatin; Prospective Studies; Radiodermatitis
PubMed: 36920507
DOI: 10.1007/s00066-023-02059-9 -
International Journal of Molecular... Nov 2023Radiation dermatitis (RD) is one of the most common side effects of radiation therapy. However, to date, there is a lack of both specific treatments for RD and validated...
Radiation dermatitis (RD) is one of the most common side effects of radiation therapy. However, to date, there is a lack of both specific treatments for RD and validated experimental animal models with the use of various sources of ionizing radiation (IR) applied in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a model of acute RD induced using proton radiation in mice. Acute RD (Grade 2-4) was obtained with doses of 30, 40, and 50 Gy, either with or without depilation. The developed model of RD was characterized by typical histological changes in the skin after irradiation. Moreover, the depilation contributed to a skin histology alteration of the irradiated mice. The assessment of animal vital signs indicated that there was no effect of proton irradiation on the well-being or general condition of the animals. This model can be used to develop effective therapeutic agents and study the pathogenesis of radiation-induced skin toxicity, including that caused by proton irradiation.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Protons; Radiodermatitis; Skin; Acute Radiation Syndrome; Models, Theoretical
PubMed: 38003561
DOI: 10.3390/ijms242216373 -
Cancers Nov 2021Radiation therapy has been progressively improved in order to maintain a satisfactory tumour response, while reducing toxicity. We will review the incidence of... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Radiation therapy has been progressively improved in order to maintain a satisfactory tumour response, while reducing toxicity. We will review the incidence of radiodermatitis and fibrosis according to the various radiation and fractionation techniques. We will then focus on the various methods used to manage, prevent, and quantify this toxicity.
METHOD
More than 1753 articles were identified using the various search terms. We selected 53 articles to answer the questions addressed in this study according to criteria set in advance.
RESULT
The literature reports lower acute toxicity with IMRT compared to 3DCRT, but no significant differences in terms of late toxicities. Partial breast irradiation appears to be less effective in terms of local control with a higher rate of late toxicity. Intra operative radiation therapy appears to provide good results in terms of both local control and late toxicity. The hypofractionation has equivalent efficacy and safety to the normofractionated regimen, but with lower rates of radiodermatitis and fibrosis. The adddition of a boost, particularly a sequential boost, increases the risk of fibrosis and radiodermatitis during treatment.
CONCLUSION
The development of IMRT has significantly reduced acute toxicity and has improved tolerability during treatment. Modified fractionation has reduced treatment time, as well as adverse effects.
PubMed: 34885037
DOI: 10.3390/cancers13235928 -
Radiation Research Apr 2017Radiation dermatitis is a serious cutaneous injury caused by radiation therapy or upon accidental nuclear exposure. However, the pathogenic immune mechanisms underlying...
Radiation dermatitis is a serious cutaneous injury caused by radiation therapy or upon accidental nuclear exposure. However, the pathogenic immune mechanisms underlying this injury are still poorly understood. We seek to discover how the dysregulated immune response after irradiation orchestrates skin inflammation. The skin on the left flank of C57BL/6J wild-type and C57BL/6J Tcrd mice, which are deficit in γδ T cells, was exposed to a single X-ray dose of 25 Gy, and the right-flank skin was used as a sham-irradiated control. At 4 weeks postirradiation, the wild-type skin exhibited signs of depilation, erythema and desquamation. Histological analysis showed hyperproliferation of keratinocytes and acanthosis. Dramatic elevation of IL17-expressing T cells was identified from the irradiated skin, which was mainly contributed by γδ T cells and innate lymphoid cells, rather than Th17 cells. Furthermore, protein levels of critical cytokines for IL17-expressing γδ T cell activation, IL1β and IL23 were found markedly upregulated. Lastly, radiation-induced dermatitis was significantly attenuated in γδ T cell knockout mice. In vitro, normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs) could be initiator cells of inflammation by providing a great number of pro-inflammatory mediators upon radiation, and as well as effector cells of epidermal hyperplasia in response to exogenous IL17 and/or IL22 treatment. Our findings implicate a novel role of IL17-expressing γδ T cells in mediating radiation-induced skin inflammation. This study reveals the innate immune response pathway as a potential therapeutic target for radiation skin injury.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Inflammation; Interleukin-17; Keratinocytes; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Knockout; Radiation Injuries, Experimental; Radiodermatitis; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta; T-Lymphocytes
PubMed: 28406748
DOI: 10.1667/RR007CC.1