Randomized, prospective assessment of moisturizer efficacy for the treatment of radiation dermatitis following radiotherapy after breast-conserving surgery.
OBJECTIVE
The effect of heparinoid moisturizer use after acute skin damage for patients receiving whole-breast radiotherapy after lumpectomy is understudied.


METHODS
A total of 30 patients were randomly assigned to receive heparinoid moisturizer (Group M), and 32 patients comprised the control group (Group C). Patients in Group M were instructed to apply heparinoid moisturizer from 2 weeks following whole-breast radiotherapy, and to continue to use the moisturizer until 3 months after completion of whole-breast radiotherapy. Group C patients were instructed to not apply any topical moisturizer during the study period. The relative ratio of skin water content ratio (RWCR(t) = (It /Nt)/(I0/N0)) between irradiated and non-irradiated field was calculated. Signs and symptoms were also assessed. The primary endpoint was the difference in relative ratio of skin water content ratio between 2 and 4 weeks following whole-breast radiotherapy.


RESULTS
In Group C, relative ratio of skin water content ratio dropped to 0.80 ± 0.15 at 2 weeks and maintained the low level at 4 weeks following whole-breast radiotherapy. Similarly, in Group M, relative ratio of skin water content ratio dropped to 0.81 ± 0.19 at 2 weeks (prior to application), however, it returned to baseline level (1.05 ± 0.23) at 4 weeks (2 weeks after application). The arithmetic difference of relative ratio of skin water content ratio in Group M was 0.24 ± 0.23 and was significantly larger than in Group C (0.06 ± 0.15; P < 0.01). Skin dryness and desquamation were less severe in Group M.


CONCLUSIONS
The application of heparinoid moisturizer for 2 weeks following whole-breast radiotherapy significantly increased water content and helped improve skin dryness and desquamation compared with no use of moisturizer.
Department of Radiation Oncology, St. Luke's International Hospital, Tokyo kenjisek@luke.ac.jp.
Kenji
K
Sekiguchi
Department of Radiation Oncology, St. Luke's International Hospital, Tokyo.
Mami
M
Ogita
Department of Radiology, Saitama Medical Center Jichi Medical University, Saitama.
Keiko
K
Akahane
Department of Radiation Oncology, St. Luke's International Hospital, Tokyo.
Chiori
C
Haga
Department of Radiation Oncology, St. Luke's International Hospital, Tokyo.
Ryoko
R
Ito
Department of Dermatology, St. Luke's International Hospital, Tokyo.
Satoru
S
Arai
Center for Clinical Epidemiology, St. Luke's International Hospital, Tokyo.
Yasushi
Y
Ishida
Department of Radiology, Toho University Omori Medical Center, Tokyo, Japan.
Yoichiro
Y
Tsukada
Department of Radiation Oncology, St. Luke's International Hospital, Tokyo.
Jiro
J
Kawamori
D000368:Aged; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery*; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004643:Emollients / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004655:Emulsions / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004817:Epidermis / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006496:Heparinoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D015412:Mastectomy, Segmental; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011537:Pruritus / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D011788:Quality of Life; D011855:Radiodermatitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D004643:Emollients; D004655:Emulsions; D006496:Heparinoids
breast cancer; emollients; radiation dermatitis; randomized controlled trial; skin hydration