Prophylactic use of Mepitel Film prevents radiation-induced moist desquamation in an intra-patient randomised controlled clinical trial of 78 breast cancer patients.
OBJECTIVE
Safetac-based soft silicone dressings used in a management setting decrease the severity of radiation-induced acute skin reactions but do not affect moist desquamation rates. Here we investigate the prophylactic use of another Safetac product, Mepitel Film, on moist desquamation rates.


METHODS
A total of 80 breast cancer patients receiving radiation therapy were recruited between October 2012 and April 2013; 78 participants contributed data for analysis. Lateral and medial halves of the skin areas to be irradiated were randomised to Mepitel Film or aqueous cream; skin dose was measured using thermoluminescent dosimeters; skin reaction severity was assessed using RISRAS and RTOG scales.


RESULTS
Overall skin reaction severity was reduced by 92% (p<0.0001) in favour of Mepitel Film (RISRAS). All patients developed some form of reaction in cream-treated skin which progressed to moist desquamation in 26% of patients (RTOG grades I: 28%; IIA: 46%; IIB: 18%; III: 8%). Only 44% of patients had a skin reaction under the Film, which did not progress to moist desquamation in any of the patients (RTOG grades I: 36%; IIA: 8%).


CONCLUSIONS
Mepitel Film completely prevented moist desquamation and reduced skin reaction severity by 92% when used prophylactically in our cohort.
Department of Radiation Therapy, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand. Electronic address: patries.herst@otago.ac.nz.
Patries M
PM
Herst
Radiation Oncology Department, Southern Blood and Cancer Centre, Dunedin Hospital, New Zealand.
Noelle C
NC
Bennett
Radiation Oncology Department, Southern Blood and Cancer Centre, Dunedin Hospital, New Zealand.
Annie E
AE
Sutherland
Radiation Oncology Department, Southern Blood and Cancer Centre, Dunedin Hospital, New Zealand.
Ruth I
RI
Peszynski
Department of Radiation Therapy, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand.
Dean B
DB
Paterson
Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand.
Marieke L
ML
Jasperse
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009779:Occlusive Dressings; D011855:Radiodermatitis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012828:Silicones / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects
D012828:Silicones; C114834:mepitel
Breast cancer; Mepitel Film; Moist desquamation; RISRAS; Radiation therapy; Skin reactions; Soft silicone dressing