title: Changes in biophysical properties of the skin following radiotherapy for breast cancer.
abstract: Acute radiation dermatitis is a common adverse effect in patients undergoing radiotherapy for breast cancer. However, the effects of radiotherapy on biophysical properties of the skin have rarely been investigated. In this prospective cohort study, we seek to determine the effects of radiotherapy for breast cancer on skin biophysical parameters. We measured various skin biophysical parameters (skin hydration, pH, sebum level, pigmentation, and blood flow) in 144 breast cancer patients by non-invasive techniques before and after radiotherapy. The measurements were simultaneously performed on the irradiated breast and the corresponding contralateral unirradiated breast for comparison. Following radiotherapy, the irradiated breast showed a significant decrease in skin hydration, increase in skin pH, increase in pigmentation, and increase in cutaneous blood flow. The contralateral unirradiated breast showed a slight increase in pigmentation but no significant changes in any of the other biophysical parameters after radiotherapy. No significant associations were found between patient characteristics (diabetes mellitus, hypertension, type of surgery, chemotherapy, hormone therapy) and changes in skin biophysical parameters following radiotherapy. In conclusion, radiation therapy for breast cancer induces measurable and significant changes in biophysical properties of the skin including hydration, pH, pigmentation, and blood flow. These findings give us a greater understanding of the effects of ionizing radiation on skin physiology, and provide non-invasive and objective methods to assess radiation dermatitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Stephen Chu-Sung
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Ming-Feng
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Hou
authors.forename: Kuei-Hau
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.forename: Hung-Yi
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Chuang
authors.forename: Shu-Yi
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Gwo-Shing
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Wenchang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Chiang
authors.forename: Chih-Jen
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012629:Sebum / Q000378:metabolism; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply / Q000528:radiation effects*; D012880:Skin Pigmentation / Q000528:radiation effects; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: breast cancer; cutaneous blood flow; radiation dermatitis; skin hydration; skin pH