Aloe vera for prevention of radiation-induced dermatitis: a self-controlled clinical trial.

P Haddad,S Chinichian,M.A Oghabian,F Amouzgar–Hashemi,S Samsami

doi:10.3747/co.20.1356

Abstract

To evaluate an Aloe vera lotion for prevention of radiation-induced dermatitis, all patients with a prescription of radiotherapy to a minimum dose of 40 Gy were eligible provided that their treatment area could be divided into two symmetrical halves. Patients were given a lotion of Aloe vera to use on one half of the irradiated area, with no medication to be used on the other half. The grade of dermatitis in each half was recorded weekly until 4 weeks after the end of radiotherapy. The trial enrolled 60 patients (mean age: 52 years; 67% women). Most patients had breast cancer (38%), followed by pelvic (32%), head-and-neck (22%), and other cancers (8%). Field size was 80-320 cm(2) (mean: 177 cm(2)), and the dose of radiotherapy was 40-70 Gy (mean: 54 Gy). Concurrent chemotherapy was administered in 20 patients. From week 4 to week 6 of radiotherapy and then at weeks 2 and 4 after radiotherapy, the mean grade of dermatitis with and without Aloe vera was 0.81 and 1.10 (p < 0.001), 0.96 and 1.28 (p < 0.001), 1.00 and 1.57 (p = 0.006), 0.59 and 0.79 (p = 0.003), and 0.05 and 0.21 (p = 0.002) respectively. Age and radiation field size had a significant effect on the grade of dermatitis. Based on these results, we conclude that the prophylactic use of Aloe vera reduces the intensity of radiationinduced dermatitis.

Highlights

Radiation is a powerful tool for controlling cancer; about two thirds of patients diagnosed with cancer are treated with radiotherapy
A review by the Supportive Care Guidelines Group of Cancer Care Ontario concluded that the evidence is insufficient to support or refute specific topical agents such as corticosteroids, sucralfate cream, ascorbic acid, and Aloe vera, among others, for the prevention or management of radiotherapy acute skin reactions[4]
The most used medication in this setting would perhaps be topical corticosteroids, but other agents, too, have been claimed to be better for the purpose, including in a report from our own department, which concluded that Calendula 0.1% ointment is as effective as betamethasone in reducing acute radiation dermatitis, with fewer side effects[5]

Summary

Introduction

Radiation is a powerful tool for controlling cancer; about two thirds of patients diagnosed with cancer are treated with radiotherapy. The most used medication in this setting would perhaps be topical corticosteroids, but other agents, too, have been claimed to be better for the purpose, including in a report from our own department, which concluded that Calendula 0.1% ointment is as effective as betamethasone in reducing acute radiation dermatitis, with fewer side effects[5]. At this time, there is no general understanding about this issue among radiation oncologists

Methods

Results

Conclusion