title: DeCoP, a Dermatitis Control Program using a moderately absorbent surgical pad for head and neck cancer patients receiving radiotherapy: a retrospective analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We evaluated the clinical characteristics of a Dermatitis Control Program based on a moderately absorbent surgical pad for head and neck cancer patients undergoing (chemo)radiotherapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent definitive radiotherapy or post-operative radiotherapy and were treated during radiotherapy with a Dermatitis Control Program using a moderately absorbent surgical pad from May 2011 through April 2012. The main protocol was the 'Dermatitis Control Program', a systematic program which consists of a three-step ladder. When radiation dermatitis reached Grade 2, the irradiated area was covered with a moderately absorbent surgical pad. All outpatients and their families were instructed on how to cover and moisten the irradiated area. Radiation dermatitis was evaluated by physicians or nurses at an outpatient clinic and reviewed from photographs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 116 head and neck cancer patients were treated by definitive or adjuvant (chemo)radiotherapy in our hospital from May 2011 through April 2012. Of these, 85 patients managed their dermatitis using a new device and they were reviewed. Fifty-five patients received chemoradiotherapy, of whom 22 received induction chemotherapy before chemoradiotherapy. Median radiation dose at the onset of Grade 2 dermatitis was 60.0 Gy (range 40-71.2 Gy). Median time to recover from the end of radiotherapy was 10.5 days (range 0-25 days). The rate of recovery from Grade 2 dermatitis within 2 weeks after the end of radiotherapy was 89.4%. The rate of Grade 3 dermatitis was 7.1, with 6.7% in radiotherapy and 7.3% in chemoradiotherapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests that the DeCoP protocol with a moderately absorbent surgical pad might be useful for the treatment of radiation dermatitis in clinical practice.
authors: Division of Radiation Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa szenda@east.ncc.go.jp.
authors: Sadamoto
authors: S
authors: Zenda
authors: Division of Radiation Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa.
authors: Shinobu
authors: S
authors: Ishi
authors: Division of Radiation Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa.
authors: Tetsuo
authors: T
authors: Akimoto
authors: Division of Radiation Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa.
authors: Satoko
authors: S
authors: Arahira
authors: Division of Radiation Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa Head and Neck Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa Head and Neck Surgery, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa, Japan.
authors: Atsushi
authors: A
authors: Motegi
authors: Head and Neck Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa.
authors: Makoto
authors: M
authors: Tahara
authors: Head and Neck Surgery, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa, Japan.
authors: Ryuichi
authors: R
authors: Hayashi
authors: Division of Radiation Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa.
authors: Chie
authors: C
authors: Asanuma
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D059248:Chemoradiotherapy; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011855:Radiodermatitis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
keywords: H and N RadOncol; head and neck; radiation oncology