title: Effects of Boron-Based Gel on Radiation-Induced Dermatitis in Breast Cancer: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study is aimed to evaluate the effects of boron on radiation-induced skin reactions (RISR) in breast cancer patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  After 47 patients with invasive ductal carcinoma underwent radiotherapy, 23 (49%) received a boron-based gel, and 24 (51%) received placebo. Assessments were performed according to the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) skin scale and a Five-Point Horizontal Scale (FPHS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  At the end of the fifth week of radiotherapy, the RTOG scores in the boron group were significantly lower than those in the placebo group (p = .024). The FPHS score was higher in the placebo group than in the boron group, and this difference was not statistically significant (p = .079).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Using the RTOG scoring system, we revealed that the application of a boron-based gel diminished RISR. The mechanism of action is unclear but may be related to antioxidant, wound healing, and thermal degradation effects of boron.
authors.affiliation: a Department of General Surgery , Bezmialem Vakif University , Istanbul , Turkey.
authors.forename: Erhan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Aysan
authors.affiliation: b Department of General Surgery , Sisli Etfal Training and Research Hospital , Istanbul , Turkey.
authors.forename: Ufuk Oguz
authors.initials: UO
authors.lastname: Idiz
authors.affiliation: a Department of General Surgery , Bezmialem Vakif University , Istanbul , Turkey.
authors.forename: Leyla
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Elmas
authors.affiliation: c Department of Radiation Oncology , Bezmialem Vakif University , Istanbul , Turkey.
authors.forename: Esra Kaytan
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Saglam
authors.affiliation: c Department of Radiation Oncology , Bezmialem Vakif University , Istanbul , Turkey.
authors.forename: Zuleyha
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Akgun
authors.affiliation: c Department of Radiation Oncology , Bezmialem Vakif University , Istanbul , Turkey.
authors.forename: Serap Baskaya
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Yucel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001895:Boron / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011855:Radiodermatitis / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D005782:Gels; D001895:Boron
keywords: boron; breast; cancer; dermatitis; gel; radiation