Cherenkoscopy Is a Novel Imaging Technique With the Potential to Improve Accuracy and Detect Radiation Therapy Misadministrations During Whole Breast Radiation Therapy

Abstract

Water content and sebum amount of irradiated and non-irradiated stratum corneum was measured by corneometer and sebumeter on the first and last day of RT, at 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 3 months after RT. Sebum composition was analyzed by chromatography. Symptoms (pain and pruritus) were measured by Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and signs (erythema, dryness, and desquamation) were graded blind by a dermatologist. Eligibility criteria included women aged between 30 to 65 years and no surgical resection in the measurement site. The primary endpoint was the water content recovery rate between Weeks 2 and 4 post-RT (B vs C). The recovery rate was analyzed by Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results: Seventy-six patients were analyzed. On the last day of RT and at 2 weeks post RT, water content was significantly decreased in group B (n Z 30) and C (n Z 32) vs A (n Z 14) (p < 0.05). At 4 weeks post RT, water content in group B returned to pre RT levels without significantly difference from group A (P Z 0.70), and reduction in water content was sustained in group C (p < 0.05). At 3 months post RT, the differences between three groups were not statistically significant. No adverse effects related to a moisturizer were noted. The water content recovery rate between Weeks 2 4 was significantly improved in group B vs C (0.242 vs 0.055, p < 0.05). The sebum amount and proportion of wax ester were markedly decreased in both irradiated and non-irradiated side after RT. The decrease of sebum sustained to 3 months post RT in irradiated side. Pain VAS score was improved in group A vs C on the last day of RT (p < 0.05) and in group B vs C at 3 months post-RT (p < 0.05). No difference was found on pruritus. Dryness and desquamation were significantly improved with moisturizer application (p < 0.05), but no effect on erythema. Conclusions: RT significantly reduced stratum corneum water content and induced quantifiable persistent sebaceous gland damage. Two week treatment of a heparinoid moisturizer after RT effectively improved RT-induced skin dryness. The prophylactic application of a moisturizer prevented severe skin dryness and can improve symptoms related to RD. Author Disclosure: M. Ogita: None. K. Sekiguchi: None. K. Akahane: None. J. Kawamori: None. R. Ito: None. C. Haga: None. S. Arai: None. O. Takahashi: None.