title: A randomized, double-blind trial on the use of 1% hydrocortisone cream for the prevention of acute radiation dermatitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To determine whether the application of 1% hydrocortisone cream during radiation therapy can prevent the occurrence of moist desquamation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty adult female breast carcinoma patients were randomized after modified radical mastectomy and chemotherapy to receive prophylactic placebo cream (n = 27) or 1% hydrocortisone cream (n = 23) during radiation therapy. The patients, caregiver and assessor were all blinded to the treatment received. Occurrence of moist desquamation, severity of acute radiation dermatitis (ARD) and hyperpigmentation were evaluated weekly until the end of radiotherapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Five patients in each group developed moist desquamation; however, its extent and severity were milder in the steroid group. Mean ARD scores were also lower in the steroid group (0.713 vs. 0.874, p = 0.024). A lower incidence of Grades 1 and 2 radiation dermatitis was also noted in the steroid group at weeks 2 and 4, respectively, indicating prophylactic use of steroids delayed the onset of radiodermatitis.
authors.affiliation: a Section of Dermatology, Department of Medicine , Philippine General Hospital , Manila , Philippines.
authors.forename: Chandra F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Meghrajani
authors.affiliation: b Section of Radiation Oncology, Department of Radiology , Philippine General Hospital , Manila , Philippines.
authors.forename: Henri S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Co
authors.affiliation: b Section of Radiation Oncology, Department of Radiology , Philippine General Hospital , Manila , Philippines.
authors.forename: Jon G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Arcillas
authors.affiliation: a Section of Dermatology, Department of Medicine , Philippine General Hospital , Manila , Philippines.
authors.forename: Clarita C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Maaño
authors.affiliation: b Section of Radiation Oncology, Department of Radiology , Philippine General Hospital , Manila , Philippines.
authors.forename: Nonette A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Cupino
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000628:therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015994:Incidence; D008408:Mastectomy / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011855:Radiodermatitis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D006854:Hydrocortisone
keywords: Radiation dermatitis; moist desquamation; prevention; randomized controlled trial; topical corticosteroid