Emulsion of Olive Oil and Calcium Hydroxide for the Prevention of Radiation Dermatitis in Hypofractionation Post-Mastectomy Radiotherapy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

• Main Authors: Imjai Chitapanarux, Napatra Tovanabutra, Siri Chiewchanvit, Patumrat Sripan, Ausareeya Chumachote, Wannapha Nobnop, Damrongsak Tippanya, Darat Khamchompoo
• Format: Journal
• Published: 2019
• Subjects: Medicine
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?partnerID=HzOxMe3b&scp=85061325094&origin=inward; http://cmuir.cmu.ac.th/jspui/handle/6653943832/63724
• Institution: Chiang Mai University

© 2019 S. Karger AG, Basel. Background: Most of the patients who have been treated by post-mastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) experience skin toxicity. There have been few studies on acute radiation dermatitis in breast cancer patients who received hypofractionation PMRT. Methods: 62 patients were randomized to receive a general skin care regimen with or without the addition of an emulsion of olive oil and calcium hydroxide twice a day, from the initiation of PMRT to 2 weeks after radiotherapy. Adverse skin reactions and the Skindex-16 score were assessed. Results: At the 8th, 13th, and 16th fraction of PMRT, grade 1 dermatitis was found in 42, 90, and 90% of the control group and in 16, 30, and 71% of the intervention group. At the end of the study, the mean Skindex-16 score of the intervention group was significantly better than that of the control group (p = 0.019). Conclusions: Addition of an emulsion of olive oil and calcium hydroxide for patients undergoing hypofractionation PMRT yielded superior preventive results over a general skin care regimen alone, in terms of delaying skin toxicity, reducing the severity of acute radiation dermatitis, and a better quality of life in the intervention group. However, a larger number of patients will be required to confirm this result.