The Preventive Effects of Boron-Based Gel on Radiation Dermatitis in Patients Being Treated for Breast Cancer: A Phase III Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Radiation dermatitis (RD) is a side effect of radiation therapy (RT) which is experienced by over 90% of patients being treated for breast cancer. The current clinical trial was conducted to measure the preventative effects of a boron-based gel on several different clinical outcomes (dermatitis, erythema, dry desquamation, and moist desquamation) after 25 radiotherapy sessions. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> This research used a double-blind parallel-group design with a placebo control (<i>n</i> = 76) and randomized group (<i>n</i> = 181), with all participants being between 18 and 75 years old. Fifteen minutes before each radiotherapy, participants in the intervention group were given a gel containing 3% sodium pentaborate pentahydrate, while those in the placebo group received a gel with no chemical substance. Dermatitis, erythema, dry desquamation, and moist desquamation were compared between the 2 groups. <b><i>Results:</i></b> At baseline, there were no significant differences between the groups (<i>p</i> &#x3e; 0.05), except for body mass index. After 14 days of treatment, dermatitis (98.7% vs. 9.9%; <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001), erythema (96.1% vs. 12.2%; <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001), dry desquamation (50% vs. 3.9%; <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001), and moist desquamation (18.4% vs. 0.6%; <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001) were much more common in the placebo group than the intervention group. To prevent dermatitis, erythema, dry desquamation, and moist desquamation in 1 patient, on average, 1.1 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.1–1.2), 1.2 (95% CI: 1.1–1.3), 2.2 (95% CI: 1.7–2.9), and 5.6 (95% CI: 3.8–11.0) patients need to be treated, respectively. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> The boron-based gel has a significant preventive effect on several categories of RD which might be used by clinicians in breast cancer.

What Is the Appropriate Skin Cleaning Method for Nasopharyngeal Cancer Radiotherapy Patients? a Randomized Controlled Trial

Purpose To determine the effect of various cleaning methods for skin with acute radiation dermatitis (RD) in patients treated for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods A total of 168 NPC inpatients were randomized, while 152 patients completed the whole trial and the data were analyzed. Patients were randomly divided into non-washing group, washing with water alone group, and washing with water and soap group. All three groups received intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) among other treatments. Follow-up from recruitment or the initial radiotherapy dose to 1 month after the final radiotherapy dose. CONSORT checklist was applied as the reporting guidelines for this study. Study evaluated a range of endpoints including incidence, timing, severity of acute RD and quality of life (QOL).Results There were no allergic reactions or aggravating in both washing groups during the whole treatment. The incidence of acute RD was 100% in all three groups, while the degree of severity differed among groups. Washing moderately reduced severity compared with patients without washing; washing also delayed the onset time of acute RD, reduced the incidence of moist desquamation and pruritus. There were no significant difference among groups with respect to pain or burning sensation. Washing improved QOL on physical, emotional, and social functional dimensions. Washing with water and soap was the most effective on reducing itching and improving QOL among three groups. Conclusion Washing irradiated skin reduces the occurrence and severity of acute radiation dermatitis.Clinical trial information ChiCTR2000038231, date of registration 09.18.2020

POTENTIAL OF AYURVEDIC TREATMENT MODALITIES IN RADIATION INDUCED DERMATITIS

Cancer has become one of the leading cause of deaths. The conventional treatment modalities in treat-ing cancer includes Surgery, Chemotherapy, Radiation and Immuno therapy. Amongst this, radiation therapy is one of the frequently used treatment modality. 95 % of cancer patients receiving radiation therapy will develop some form of radiodermatitis, including erythema, dry& moist desquamation, ul-cerations, necrosis etc. This kind of reactions may lead to delay in the treatment, affects the quality of life, diminishes the cosmesis and causes functional deficits. Despite the prevalence of radiation derma-titis, there is no gold standard in the prevention and management of this condition. Ayurvedic treatment modalities has the potential in reducing the dermatological effects. Local treatment modalities like Lepa, Pichu, Parishek, Rasayanas, lifestyle management may help in ameliorating the dermatological effects. This article includes radiation induced dermatitis its stages its clinical manifestation and role of Ayurve-da in managing it.

Hand and foot syndrome secondary to capecitabine

<p class="abstract">Hand and foot syndrome are an adverse effect often seen with chemotherapy or with the use of biologics. It is characterised by painful erythema and edema, dry or moist desquamation of palms and soles in mild to moderate case. Severe cases usually present with cracking, peeling, blister, ulcer and severe pain. Here we report a 65-year-old woman with breast carcinoma who was on treatment with capecitabine and presented with fissuring and bleeding over palms and soles, with progressive burning sensation. On examination, hyperpigmentation and scaling were also noted over both palms and soles. She was diagnosed with hand and foot syndrome and was treated with emollients, antibiotics and topical steroids.</p>

Radiation therapy for advanced canine nasal planum squamous cell carcinoma: case report

ABSTRACT This case report describes the outcome of treatment of dogs with advanced (deeply invasive) nasal planum squamous cell carcinomas with palliative or definitive radiation therapy. All dogs were diagnosed with nasal planum squamous cell carcinoma by histopathology, and their owners declined aggressive surgery. Dogs were treated with a cobalt-60 unit, definitive-intent radiation protocol consisting of 15 daily fractions (Monday-Friday) of 2.8 Gy, and palliative radiation protocol consisting of 4 fractions of 8 Gy performed once a week. Three dogs had T3 tumors and three had T4 tumors according to the WHO staging system. Two dogs had tumor complete remission and four had tumor partial remission. Survival time of dogs submitted to radiation therapy was 95-417 days. Radiation acute side effects involved only mild epilation and cutaneous erythema in palliative protocols, and moist desquamation, epilation, mild rhinitis and oral mucositis in definitive-intent RT. Radiation therapy, especially palliative protocols, can be a treatment option for nasal planum squamous cell carcinoma in dogs, when the owner declines aggressive surgery. It may contribute to partial or complete tumor remission and better patient quality of life, even at advanced stages, leading to mild side effects.