Acute skin reactions in postoperative breast cancer patients receiving radiotherapy plus adjuvant chemotherapy.
A group of 26 patients with operable carcinoma of the breast received postoperative radiotherapy plus adjuvant chemotherapy. Acute skin reactions were studied by clinical observation. There was a statistically significant difference (P less than .01) in the acute skin reactions in the chest wall area in those who received chemotherapy (81%) compared to the controls who received only radiotherapy (33%). Acute skin reactions began at the completion of postoperative radiotherapy and reached maximum severity 1-2 weeks later. They usually subsided after 4-6 weeks. No skin reactions were observed in the parasternal, supraclavicular fossa, or axillary regions. On the basis of these findings, postoperative radiotherapy combined with adjuvant chemotherapy is probably beneficial.
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000628:therapy*; D003037:Cobalt Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D011867:Radioisotope Teletherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011882:Radiotherapy, High-Energy / Q000009:adverse effects; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000209:etiology*
D003037:Cobalt Radioisotopes; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D005472:Fluorouracil; D008727:Methotrexate