A Double-Blind Randomized Trial on the Effectiveness of Mometasone 0.1% Cream and Hydrocortisone 1% Cream on the Prevention of Acute Radiation Dermatitis in Breast Cancer Patients following Breast Conserving Surgery

Abstract

Background: Despite the high prevalence of acute radiation dermatitis (ARD) in breast radiation treatment, data about its prevention is inconsistent. We conducted the present research to investigate whether the use of topical corticosteroids with different potencies or moisturizing cream could prevent ARD. Method: In this double-blind randomized trial, 120 patients, who had undergone breast conserving surgery for breast cancer, were randomly assigned to use Mometasone 0.1% cream or hydrocortisone 1% cream or moisturizing base cream from the first day of radiotherapy throughout the entire course. CTCAE v. 4 scale was utilized to score the grade of ARD. The outcomes were analysed with relevant statistical methods. Results: 105 subjects were analysed. Mometasone delayed the incidence of grade 1 ARD in a week. However, no differences were observed among the groups concerning the incidence of the maximum ARD grade (χ2 (6, N= 104)=8.12, P=0.2). Moreover, the timing of the maximum ARD was not significantly different among the groups (χ2 (4, N =84) = 2.87, P=0.58). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the application of corticosteroid creams (hydrocortisone 1% or Mometasone 0.1%) does not result into a significant difference concerning the timing and incidence of ARD occurrence when compared with daily skin care and use of emollient.

Keywords

• breast cancer
• acute radiation dermatitis
• topical steroids