Skin Toxicity in Palliative Radiation Therapy
January 2017
in “
Elsevier eBooks
”
New to Hydrocortisone? There is a guide in the encyclopedia. Read the guide → Studysummary This article reviews skin toxicities caused by radiation in metastatic cancer patients and discusses preventive measures, highlighting that current interventions lack robust supporting data.
Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer
Radiation therapy, commonly used for palliative care in metastatic cancer patients, often led to skin toxicity, which was dose-related and influenced by various treatment and patient factors. Acute skin reactions included erythema, hyperpigmentation, dryness, pain, itchiness, hair loss, and desquamation, while late reactions involved telangiectasias, fibrosis, pigmentation changes, dryness, ulcers, and wound healing issues. Preventative measures for acute toxicity included gentle soap washing and prophylactic hydrocortisone cream, though other interventions lacked robust supporting data and varied widely among providers. Additionally, radiation recall dermatitis could occur, mimicking acute reactions in previously irradiated areas after systemic agent administration.
