A Clinical Study Comparing a Hydroactive Colloid Gel to a Dexpanthenol Cream for the Treatment of Skin Reactions in Breast Irradiation

Abstract

Purpose/Objective(s): Currently there is no general consensus on the prevention or treatment of radiation dermatitis, a common side effect of radiation therapy. The primary objective of this retrospective study was to compare hydroactive colloid gel to dexpanthenol for the treatment of grade 1 skin erythema resulting from radiation therapy. A secondary objective was to investigate the relationship between breast size and the development of moist desquamation. Materials/methods: Patients undergoing radiation therapy for breast cancer applied dexpanthenol during the first 12 days of treatment. Acute skin toxicity was scored with a modified EORTC scoring system. Two groups of patients were studied: Group 1 continued to apply dexpanthenol daily after the first 12 days and Group 2 discontinued dexpanthenol and applied hydroactive colloid gel from day 12. The presence or absence of moist desquamation during the study was registered. One sample proportion test to compare proportions of moist desquamation. Results: Group 1 included 292 patients and whilst group 2 included 281 patients. The Table shows the number of patients in each gropu who developed moist desquamation, number of patients with breast diameter larger and smaller than 20cm and the presence of moist desquamation by breast size. A higher proportion of patients with a Grade 1 reaction developed moist desquamation in the dexpanthenol group, compared to those with a smaller breast diameter. Conclusions: The use of a hydroactive colloid gel for the treatment of Grade 1 skin erythema in patients receiving radiation therapy for breast cancer significantly reduces the subsequent development of moist desquamation compared to dexpanthenol (p <0.00001)