Decrease of radiation-induced skin reactions in breast cancer patients by preventive application of film dressings-asystematic review.

Abstract

Radiation-induced skin reactions remain one of the most frequent side effects of adjuvant radiotherapy for breast cancer, which is the most common global malignancy. In individual cases, we observed adecrease in radiation dermatitis under film dressings used for skin marking purposes. Therefore, we decided to revise the available evidence regarding the prophylactic use of film dressings to reduce radiation dermatitis in breast cancer patients. On 20March 2023, we conducted asystematic review of literature for randomized controlled trials published in the English, German, French, or Spanish language, available in the PubMed database. Of 82publications, 9full texts were assessed and 6randomized controlled trials were included in the final synthesis. Two trials analyzed the application of polyurethane film (Hydrofilm, Paul Hartmann AG, Heidenheim, Germany), the other four of silicone-based polyurethane film (Mepitel film, Molnlycke Health Care Limited, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom). The evaluation scales Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE), Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG), and the Radiation-Induced Skin Reaction Assessment Scale (RISRAS) were used for assessment. All six trials, with atotal of 788 patients yielding data for analysis, demonstrate asignificant decrease in radiation-induced skin reactions by use of the film (mainly p < 0.001). Our analysis demonstrates asignificant decrease in radiation-induced skin reactions by prophylactically applied film dressings in breast cancer patients. Consequent preventive use of film dressings might systematically reduce acute radiation-induced skin reactions in these patients.