title: Foam dressing with epidermal growth factor for severe radiation dermatitis in head and neck cancer patients.
abstract: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of foam dressing with human recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rhEGF) on the healing process in head and neck cancer patients who experience radiation-induced dermatitis (RID). Seven patients, including three with oropharyngeal, two with nasopharyngeal and one each with hypopharyngeal and laryngeal carcinoma, who underwent radiotherapy (RT) for head and neck cancer at the Asan Medical Center from March to December 2008 were prospectively included in this study. Patients who showed severe RID (more than wet desquamation) on the supraclavicular fossa or neck areas were treated by wound cleaning and debridement of granulation tissue, followed by daily rhEGF spray and foam dressing. Median time to stop exudates and reepithelialisation was 4 days. Within 14 days (median 8 days), all patients showed complete healing of RID and no longer required dressings. This new method of treatment with dressing containing rhEGF may have the potential to accelerate the healing process in patients with RID. A case-control study is needed to confirm this finding.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Asan Medical Center, College of Medicine, University of Ulsan, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Jihyo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Asan Medical Center, College of Medicine, University of Ulsan, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Sang-Wook
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Asan Medical Center, College of Medicine, University of Ulsan, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Joon Pio
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Asan Medical Center, College of Medicine, University of Ulsan, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Myeong Wha
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Shon
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Asan Medical Center, College of Medicine, University of Ulsan, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Seung-Hee
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Ryu
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Asan Medical Center, College of Medicine, University of Ulsan, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Seung Do
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Ahn
mesh_terms: D001458:Bandages; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms; D006801:Humans; D011855:Radiodermatitis
chemical_list: D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor
keywords: Dermatitis; Epidermal growth factor; Foam dressing; Radiotherapy