The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility

The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility

Assessment of the Relationship between Absorbed Skin Dose and Chronic Dermal Side-Effects of Radiotherapy in Patients with Breast Cancer

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Fatemeh Homaee Shandiz 1
Raham Salek 1
Amir Amirabadi 2
Nasrin Moazzen 3
Mitra Fazl Ersi 2
1 Associate Professor, Department of Radiation Oncology, Solid Tumor Treatment Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
2 Specialist in Radiation Oncology, Solid Tumor Treatment Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
3 Specialist in Pediatric Allergy Allergy and Immunology, Allergy and Immunology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
10.22038/ijogi.2014.3432
Abstract
Introduction: Considering the increasing incidence of breast cancer and patients’ delayed referral to healthcare centers, a large number of these patients are potential candidates for mastectomy and radiotherapy and will eventually suffer from early- or late-onset complications. In this study, we aimed to investigate the prevalence of chronic radiation-induced skin complications and its relation with radiation dose at skin surface in breast radiation of female patients with breast cancer.
Methods: Overall, 194 female patients with non-metastatic breast cancer, who had undergone locoregional radiation therapy of breast and regional lymph nodes during 1999-2009, were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Chronic skin complications induced by breast radiation were assessed, based on the classification of Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG). For data analysis, Chi-square and Fisher’s exact test were performed, using SPSS version 18. P-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: Among 194 patients evaluated in this study, 55 subjects (28.4%) did not have any skin complications (grade 0). On the other hand, 50 (25.8%), 42 (21.6%), 16 (21.6%), and 31 (12.6%) patients had grade 1, grade 2, grade 3, and grade 4 complications, based on RTOG system, respectively. Our results showed that radiation dose at skin surface had a significant impact on the incidence of chronic skin complications. Moreover, increase in maximum skin dose was significantly correlated with chronic skin complications (P=0.009).
Conclusion: As the results indicated, radiation dose at skin surface during radiotherapy is significantly correlated with chronic skin complications, and this relation should be considered in treatment planning.
Keywords
Breast Cancer
Chronic Skin Complications
Radiotherapy
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