Dermatitis during radiation for vulvar carcinoma: prevention and treatment with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor impregnated gauze

Wound Repair Regen. 2001 May-Jun;9(3):187-93. doi: 10.1046/j.1524-475x.2001.00187.x.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) impregnated gauze in preventing or healing radiation-induced dermatitis. Sixty-one patients were irradiated for vulvar carcinoma. Thirty-seven applied steroid cream at irradiated areas throughout radiotherapy (Group A) and 24 patients applied additionally GM-CSF impregnated gauze (40 micrcog/cm2 of skin-irradiated area, twice per day) in addition to the steroid cream, after 20 Gy of irradiation (Group B). The score of skin reactions (P=0.008, chi2 test) and the time interval of radiotherapy interruption (P=0.037, Mann-Whitney U test) were statistically significantly reduced in Group B patients. Multivariate analysis of variance showed for this group not only a significant reduction in the Sum of Gross Dermatitis Scoring (P<0.001, adjusted for Duration of Dermatitis) but also a significant reduction of the healing time (P=0.02, adjusted for Sum of Gross Dermatitis Scoring). The pain grading was less (P=0.014, chi2 test) and pain reduction was noticed sooner after the application of GM-CSF impregnated gauze (P=0.0017, Mann-Whitney U test). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the only significant effect on dermatitis score is due to Body Mass Index (P=0.034) and the application of GM-CSF (P=0.008). GM-CSF impregnated gauze can be effective in preventing and healing radiation-induced dermatitis and in reducing the interruption intervals of radiotherapy for vulvar carcinomas.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Controlled Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Administration, Cutaneous
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Bandages*
  • Betamethasone / administration & dosage
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / radiotherapy*
  • Clinical Nursing Research
  • Female
  • Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / administration & dosage*
  • Humans
  • Logistic Models
  • Middle Aged
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Pain / diagnosis
  • Pain / etiology
  • Primary Prevention / methods
  • Radiodermatitis / classification
  • Radiodermatitis / etiology
  • Radiodermatitis / nursing*
  • Radiodermatitis / prevention & control*
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Skin Care / methods*
  • Skin Care / nursing*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vulvar Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • Wound Healing

Substances

  • Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor
  • Betamethasone