Topical Management of Acute Radiation Dermatitis in Breast Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of topical corticosteroids in managing acute radiation dermatitis (RD) in female breast cancer patients.

Materials and methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, CENTRAL, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar and Clinicaltrials.gov were searched up to and including March 2017 to identify Randomised Controlled Trials (RCTs) assessing topical corticosteroids for the management and prevention of acute RD.

Results: Ten RCTs (919 participants) were identified. Meta-analysis, including results for 845 participants, demonstrated significant benefits of topical corticosteroids in preventing the incidence of wet desquamation (OR: 0.29; 95%CI: 0.19-0.45; p<0.0001) and reducing the mean RD score (SMD: -0.47, 95%CI: -0.61 - -0.33, p<0.00001).

Conclusion: Topical corticosteroids impacted on the incidence of wet desquamation and the average RD score observed in female breast cancer patients. The use of topical corticosteroids can reduce pruritus in participants and improve quality of life.

Keywords: Radiation dermatitis; breast cancer; corticosteroids; review; wet desquamation.