OPTIMIZATION OF PREVENTIVE STRATEGIES FOR RADIATION DERMATITIS IN BREAST CANCER RADIOTHERAPY: A MULTIMODAL APPROACH
Keywords:
Radiation dermatitis; Breast cancer; Preventive strategy; IMRT; Skin care protocol; Patient education; Radiotherapy toxicity; Oncology supportive care.Abstract
Radiation dermatitis remains one of the most common adverse effects of radiotherapy in patients with breast cancer, often leading to discomfort, reduced quality of life, and occasional treatment interruptions. Although technological advances in radiation delivery have improved dose conformity, the incidence of acute skin toxicity remains high. Preventive strategies vary widely across oncology centers, and there is no universally standardized protocol for minimizing radiation-induced skin injury. The present study evaluates the effectiveness of a multimodal preventive approach combining advanced radiotherapy planning, structured patient education, prophylactic skincare regimens, and early dermatologic monitoring.
References
1.Bray, F., Laversanne, M., Sung, H., Ferlay, J., Siegel, R. L., Soerjomataram, I., & Jemal, A. (2024). Global cancer statistics 2024: GLOBOCAN estimates of incidence and mortality worldwide. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 74(1), 33–52.
2.Early Breast Cancer Trialists’ Collaborative Group (EBCTCG). (2011). Effect of radiotherapy after breast-conserving surgery on 10-year recurrence and 15-year breast cancer mortality. The Lancet, 378(9804), 1707–1716.
3.Kole, A. J., Kole, L., & Moran, M. S. (2017). Acute radiation dermatitis in breast cancer patients: Challenges and solutions. Breast Cancer: Targets and Therapy, 9, 313–323.
4.Hymes, S. R., Strom, E. A., & Fife, C. (2006). Radiation dermatitis: Clinical presentation, pathophysiology, and treatment. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 54(1), 28–46.
5.Ryan, J. L. (2012). Ionizing radiation: The good, the bad, and the ugly. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 132(3), 985–993.
6.Chan, R. J., Webster, J., Chung, B., et al. (2014). Prevention and treatment of acute radiation-induced skin reactions: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Oncology, 26(8), 523–531.
7.Salvo, N., Barnes, E., van Draanen, J., et al. (2010). Prophylaxis and management of acute radiation-induced skin reactions. Current Oncology, 17(4), 94–112.
8.Bolderston, A., Lloyd, N. S., Wong, R. K., et al. (2006). The prevention and management of acute skin reactions related to radiation therapy. Supportive Care in Cancer, 14(8), 802–817.
9.McQuestion, M. (2011). Evidence-based skin care management in radiation therapy. Seminars in Oncology Nursing, 27(2), e1–e17.
10.Bensadoun, R. J., Humbert, P., Krutmann, J., et al. (2013). Daily baseline skin care in radiation therapy: Clinical practice recommendations. Supportive Care in Cancer, 21(10), 2933–2948.
11.Fowble, B., Yom, S. S., & Cohen, R. (2016). Skin toxicity in breast cancer radiotherapy. International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics, 95(1), 240–252.
12.Pignol, J. P., Olivotto, I., Rakovitch, E., et al. (2008). A multicenter randomized trial of IMRT versus standard radiation therapy in breast cancer. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 26(13), 2085–2092.
13.Donovan, E., Bleakley, N., Denholm, E., et al. (2007). Randomised trial of standard 2D radiotherapy versus IMRT in breast cancer. Radiotherapy and Oncology, 82(3), 254–264.
14.Freedman, G. M., Li, T., Nicolaou, N., et al. (2006). Breast intensity-modulated radiation therapy reduces acute dermatitis. International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics, 66(5), 1335–1340.
15.Schnur, J. B., Love, B., Scheckner, B. L., et al. (2011). Patient-reported outcomes of radiodermatitis. Cancer Nursing, 34(6), 529–538.
