title: [Efectiveness of topical therapies in patients with breast cancer that experience radiodermatitis. A systematic review].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  After radiation therapy most patients experience acute skin toxicity to some degree. The purpose of this systematic review is to assess the available evidence concerning the effectivity of topical therapies on patients with breast cancer that experience radiodermatitis after radiotherapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  The review included clinical trials aimed to evaluate topical therapies for prevention or treatment of acute radiodermatitis in women with breast cancer, which were published between 2009 and 2014. The bibliographic search was carried out in the following databases: PubMed, Cinahl, Cochrane Plus, IBECS and LILACS. The studies were selected independently by peer reviewers using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme in its Spanish version.
  
  
  RESULTS
  86 bibliographical references were identified. Twenty full-text articles of clinical trials were assessed and two were excluded because they were not completed; 12 of clinical trials evaluated topical treatment with creams and ointments, three with corticosteroid creams and other three with dressings. The effectivity of human epidermal growth factor cream, linoleic acid emulsion, topical silver sulfadiazine, corticosteroids creams and polyurethane dressings has been shown in these clinical trials.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Given that radiodermatitis is a dynamic process, these topical agents were effective in different stages of skin toxicity. Some of them delayed the onset, others decreased the development and severity of acute skin toxicity degree and others improved the subjective symptoms (itching, pain, burning). Only polyurethane dressings suggest effectiveness in all stages of skin toxicity, in prevention, management of the different skin toxicity degrees and improvement of wellbeing.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Oncología Radioterápica, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valladolid., Valladolid, España. Electronic address: mefernandezc@saludcastillayleon.es.
authors.forename: Mercedes
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fernández-Castro
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Oncología Radioterápica, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valladolid., Valladolid, España.
authors.forename: Belén
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Martín-Gil
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011855:Radiodermatitis / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D003879:Dermatologic Agents
keywords: Breast neoplasms; Cuidados de la piel; Cáncer de mama; Radiodermatitis; Radioterapia; Radiotherapy; Skin care