Incidence of acute radiodermatitis in women with breast cancer undergoing hypofractionated radiotherapy

Rev Bras Enferm. 2021 Sep 29;75(1):e20210118. doi: 10.1590/0034-7167-2021-0118. eCollection 2021.
[Article in English, Portuguese]

Abstract

Objective: To estimate the incidence and degree of acute radiodermatitis at the end and after the end of treatment in women with breast cancer undergoing hypofractionated radiotherapy.

Methods: Observational, prospective, and longitudinal study, conducted between March 2019 and January 2020, in a radiotherapy outpatient clinic.

Results: Thirty-two women participated in the study, among whom, in the last session of hypofractionated radiotherapy, 15 (46.9%) had radiodermatitis, erythema in 13 (40.6%), and wet peeling in 2 (6.3%). In the post-treatment evaluation, 27 (84.4%) had radiodermatitis, erythema in 17 (53.1%), dry peeling in 8 (25%), and wet peeling in 2 (6.3%).

Conclusion: The general incidence of radiodermatitis after hypofractionated radiotherapy in women with breast cancer was 37.5%, erythema, 12.5%, and dry peeling, 25%. The development of care protocols for the management of radiodermatitis after treatment is of paramount importance.

Publication types

  • Observational Study

MeSH terms

  • Breast Neoplasms* / complications
  • Breast Neoplasms* / radiotherapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Prospective Studies
  • Radiodermatitis* / epidemiology
  • Radiodermatitis* / etiology