A Prospective Randomized Double-Blinded Trial of Topical NSAID Therapy for the Reduction of Pain in Women Receiving Breast Radiation for Breast Cancer

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most common cancer and second leading cause of cancer death in American women. Whole breast radiation is given after mastectomy or lumpectomy to prevent breast cancer recurrence. Up to 95% of patients who undergo radiation therapy will experience an inflammatory-mediated skin reaction. Ketoprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that helps decrease inflammation and pain by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis. We hypothesize that topical ketoprofen will decrease discomfort in patients undergoing whole breast radiotherapy for breast cancer through this mechanism.