title: Management of radiation dermatitis in a patient after mastectomy.
abstract: Women who are diagnosed with breast cancer and undergoing chemotherapy and radiation are at high risk of developing acute radiation dermatitis. The purpose of this case study is to explore an alternative topical therapy for skin toxicity in the post-radiation care of a patient with a history of breast cancer. The patient, a 54-year-old white female, was treated by modified radical mastectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation. During post-radiation therapy the patient developed wet desquamation reaction over the midincision line into the right axilla. Balsam Peru, hydrogenated castor oil, trypsin (Xenaderm Healthpoint, San Antonio, Tex) was trialed to evaluate efficacy in providing wound healing to the denuded skin. Within 14 days of treatment, the area was completely healed and topical therapy stopped. This case study provides the basis for further research into the area of topical therapy for women with moist desquamation after radiation for breast cancer.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425, USA.
authors.forename: Carol J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: McDougall
authors.forename: Lynette E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Franklin
authors.forename: Suzanne O
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Gresle
mesh_terms: D001453:Balsams / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D002368:Castor Oil / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009824:Ointments; D011855:Radiodermatitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014357:Trypsin / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D001453:Balsams; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D009824:Ointments; D002368:Castor Oil; C025080:Peruvian balsam; D014357:Trypsin