Acute radiation dermatitis in breast cancer patients: challenges and solutions

Abstract

Adam J Kole,1 Lauren Kole,2 Meena S Moran1 1Department of Therapeutic Radiology, 2Department of Dermatology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA Abstract: Nearly all women who receive radiotherapy (RT) for breast cancer experience some degree of radiation dermatitis. However, evidence describing the appropriate management of radiation dermatitis is often lacking or contradictory. Here, we summarize the available literature regarding radiation dermatitis causes, the presentation and timing of symptoms, methods for dermatitis assessment and prevention, and review evidence-based management strategies. Keywords: breast cancer, radiotherapy, radiation dermatitis, skin toxicity

Keywords

• Breast cancer
• radiotherapy
• radiation dermatitis
• skin toxicity