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Review
. 2017 May 5:9:313-323.
doi: 10.2147/BCTT.S109763. eCollection 2017.

Acute radiation dermatitis in breast cancer patients: challenges and solutions

Adam J Kole  1 , Lauren Kole  2 , Meena S Moran  1
Affiliations
Review

Acute radiation dermatitis in breast cancer patients: challenges and solutions

Adam J Kole et al. Breast Cancer (Dove Med Press). .

Abstract

Nearly all women who receive radiotherapy (RT) for breast cancer experience some degree of radiation dermatitis. However, evidence describing the appropriate management of radiation dermatitis is often lacking or contradictory. Here, we summarize the available literature regarding radiation dermatitis causes, the presentation and timing of symptoms, methods for dermatitis assessment and prevention, and review evidence-based management strategies.

Keywords: breast cancer; radiation dermatitis; radiotherapy; skin toxicity.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Common skin reactions in patients receiving breast radiation therapy. Notes: (A) Follicular reaction with pruritus. (B) Skin erythema and edema. (C) Dry desquamation in axillary fold. (D) Moist desquamation in inflammatory fold.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Illustration of a three-dimensional prone radiation treatment plan for a patient with large breast size. Notes: (A) Homogeneous radiation dose is shown in dose color wash. Red indicates areas receiving prescription dose; blue indicates area of lowest dose. (B) Beam’s eye view of a single radiation subfield, designed as part of the “field-in-field” treatment design in the prone position.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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