title: 3M Cavilon No-Sting Barrier Film or topical corticosteroid (mometasone furoate) for protection against radiation dermatitis: A clinical trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Evidence on the prevention of radiation dermatitis is lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 3M Cavilon No Sting Barrier Film and topical corticosteroids on irradiated skin.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-nine postoperative breast cancer patients were randomized into three groups for intraindividual comparison (skin to be irradiated was divided into 2 parts): (1) 3M No Sting Barrier Film versus no treatment; (2) corticosteroid versus no treatment; and (3) corticosteroid versus 3M No Sting Barrier Film. The primary end points monitored were the time to first occurrence of grade 1 pruritus, pain score of 3 and grade 2 radiation dermatitis. The secondary end points studied were the incidence of grade 3 radiation dermatitis and total pain scores. Data analysis was done using the SPSS software version 10.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Skin given the 3M barrier film experienced a later occurrence of pruritus compared to both corticosteroids and untreated, although this was statistically insignificant. Corticosteroids delayed the time to occurrence of grade 2 dermatitis compared to both untreated skin and 3M barrier film, (mean day of onset = corticosteroid: 52 vs. untreated: 43, p = 0.092; corticosteroid: 53.4 vs. 3M barrier film: 44.5, p = 0.002, t test). Skin given corticosteroids had the lowest incidence of grade 3 dermatitis among all three conditions, although the differences were statistically insignificant. No statistically significant differences were noted in total pain scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The 3M barrier film may be helpful against dermatitis associated pruritus. Corticosteroids may delay the time of onset of severe skin reactions and also reduce the incidence of severe radiation dermatitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Cathay General Hospital, Taiwan. Electronic address: shawsuzun@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Su-Zun
authors.initials: SZ
authors.lastname: Shaw
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Cathay General Hospital, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Hsin-Hua
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Nien
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Cathay General Hospital, Taiwan; Department of Radiation Oncology, National Defense Medical Center, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ching-Jung
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Cathay General Hospital, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Louis Tak
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Lui
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Cathay General Hospital, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Jui-Fen
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Su
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Cathay General Hospital, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chin-Hsin
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Lang
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D000068656:Mometasone Furoate / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011855:Radiodermatitis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013624:Taiwan; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000068656:Mometasone Furoate
keywords: barrier; corticosteroid; radiation induced dermatitis; skin