Prophylactic beclomethasone spray to the skin during postoperative radiotherapy of carcinoma breast: a prospective randomized study.
OBJECTIVE
Radiation induced wet desquamation of skin in carcinoma breast patients is a painful condition. In this study topical beclomethasone dipropionate spray was used as prophylaxis with the purpose of reducing risk of the wet desquamation of skin in irradiated field.


METHODS
Sixty patients of carcinoma breast were planned for postoperative loco regional radiotherapy (50 Gy in 25 fraction over five weeks) were prospectively randomized into two groups (1) steroid group-patients were advised to use beclomethasone dipropionate spray in irradiated axilla from day one of radiotherapy, (2) control group-patients were not allowed to use any topical agent in irradiated area. Radiation induced skin reaction was noted in terms of erythema, dry desquamation and wet desquamation weekly till end of prescribed 50 Gy dose of the radiation therapy.


METHODS
Chi-square test was used to see the statistical significance of the difference in wet desquamation between two arms of the study. Chi-square value and P-value was calculated for the difference of wet desquamation in two study arms.


RESULTS
In steroid group 4/30 (13.33%) patients developed wet desquamation of the axillary skin at the end of the radiotherapy. For the control group, this figure was 11/30 (36.66%). The difference in wet desquamation of the axillary skin in the two groups was statistically significant (P-value = 0.0369).


CONCLUSIONS
Topical steroid (beclomethasone dipropionate spray) for skin during radiotherapy significantly reduces the risk of wet desquamation of the skin.
Shukla
P N
PN
Department of Radiation Oncology, Ratan Cancer Hospital and Research Institute, 113/103A, Swaroop Nagar, Kanpur - 208 002, India. punitshukla@indiatimes.com
Gairola
M
M
Mohanti
B K
BK
Rath
G K
GK
D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001365:Axilla; D001507:Beclomethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011855:Radiodermatitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects; D017592:Skin Care; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D001507:Beclomethasone