Mexican Consensus of the Treatment of Radiodermatitis

Abstract

Radiotherapy (RT) is an essential component of cancer treatment. Up to 95% of patients may experience some form of skin lesion caused by radiation. The dermatitis induced by radiation, radiodermatitis (RID), is a group of changes of the skin related to RT technique and to patient factors, that affect the quality of life of the patients and is involved in completion of treatment, making management of RID important during RT. There are few randomized, controlled clinical studies that evaluate the interventions to be taken for the prevention and treatment of RID. The Mexican Society of Radiotherapists (SOMERA) brought together a panel of experts, radio-oncologists and dermatologists to provide a consensus guideline for RID evaluation and management. To set up consensus regarding management of radiodermatitis in Mexico. To describe the various alternatives according to the degree of RID severity.The panel is made up of 22 Mexican radio-oncologists and 3 dermatologists with radiotherapy experience whose criteria came together with a set of 20 questions using the Delphi panel method and validated with evidence published both nationally and internationally.In Mexico, we do not have national RID statistics. Adequate evaluation is essential for the proper and timely management of the skin as is the evaluation of the scale of acute toxicity through RTOG. All panelists (100%) agreed with complying with education of the management: before, during and after RID.A clinical guideline for RID management in Mexico will allow patients and professionals access to timely treatment of a frequent toxicity in RT. Educating patients before, during and after regarding care of the skin is fundamental. It is to be noted that there is need for studies with greater evidence of the types of dermocosmetics to be used in RT.