Title : Prophylactic treatment of herbal creams on radiation-induced dermatitis in breast cancer patients
Abstract:
Background: Radiation dermatitis is a common side-effect of radiation therapy; however, there is currently no consensus on its appropriate prophylaxis or therapy. Objectives: This study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of different herbal extract products in preventing radiation dermatitis and patient satisfaction in patients with breast cancer undergoing radiation therapy. Methods: A double blind randomized control trial study in 150 patients with breast cancer undergoing radiation therapy, the subjects were randomized to 5 arms. Group I, no treatment (standard) group (n=30 patients), Group II, control (moisturizing cream) group (n=30 patients), Group III the cucumber (Cucumis sativus) group (n=30 patients), Group IV, the centella (Centella asiatica) group (n=30 patients) and Group V, the laurel clockvine (Thunbergia laurifolia) group (n=30 patients). Treatment was initiated at the beginning of radiation therapy and continued for 4 weeks after the completion of radiation therapy. Patients were examined and assessed for their skin grade weekly by physician following the RTOG (Radiation Therapy Oncology Group) grading scale and surveyed for their satisfaction of the cream at the end of treatment. Results: Although the moisturizing and herbal creams showed no significant improvement in the overall skin grading of the patients, depending on certain characteristics, some patients benefited from treatment of the creams. The patients aged below 50 appeared to have lower skin grades in the treatment groups than the standard group. It could also be speculated that the prophylaxis treatment could limit the skin grade in week 5 of radiation therapy. Based on the results of this study, patients are encouraged to apply moisturizing cream to the irradiated skin region. Conclusions: Prophylaxis treatment of irradiated skin could benefit certain patients from radiation-induced dermatitis.
Keywords: Breast cancer, Herbal cream, Radiation-induced dermatitis, Radiotherapy
Take Away Notes:
• They will learn about Thai herbals
• They will know about the effects of herbal extracts to relieve dermatitis from radiation therapy
• They can use the results of this research as an alternative to advising patients with breast cancer undergoing radiation therapy
