Radiation dermatitis is a skin disease caused by radiation therapy for cancer treatment, affecting most patients. There are three types, with chronic radiodermatitis having the highest chance of developing into cancer. Treatment requires a dermatologist’s assistance.
Radiation dermatitis is a skin disease that develops when a patient undergoes radiation therapy for cancer treatment. It affects most patients receiving radiation therapy. There are three main types of dermatitis. In some cases, the dermatitis develops into a new cancer. Treatment of the disease requires the assistance of a dermatologist.
Radiation therapy, also known as radiation oncology, is a form of cancer treatment usually associated with chemotherapy and surgery. During treatment, beams of radiation are focused on a tumor, with the aim of killing the malignant cells. Since the radiation must first pass through the skin, rapidly dividing skin cells are damaged as a result. Dermatitis initially presents as a patch of irritation similar to a sunburn. In most cases, healing occurs within a few weeks after radiation therapy ends, although some patients report that the skin discoloration persists for many years.
There are three main forms of radiation dermatitis. The first is acute radiodermatitis. It appears less than 24 hours after initial exposure and will present with reddening of the skin and possible blisters. Chronic radiodermatitis takes longer to develop and has different symptoms. It develops after many treatments, thickening the skin and possibly causing another cancer years later.
The latter form of radiation dermatitis mainly affects women, as it mainly occurs during the treatment of breast or cervical cancer. Known as the association of eosinophilic, polymorphic and pruritic eruptions with radiotherapy (EPPER), this form of dermatitis is characterized by the formation of papules and skin rashes. Treating EPPER is much more difficult than other forms of radiation dermatitis due to the combination of open sores and the patient’s already weakened immune system. The possibility of infection complicates cancer treatment.
A very small percentage of radiation dermatitis develop into skin cancer. Although chronic radiodermatitis has the highest chance of progressing to cancer, all cases of radiation dermatitis are closely monitored during and after radiation treatment for early signs of cancer. Due diligence by the medical community plays an important role in reducing the number of skin cancers that occur as a result of radiation therapy.
Treatment of radiation dermatitis requires that the patient see their dermatologist during and after radiation therapy treatments. In addition to checking dermatitis for cancer, a dermatologist can prescribe medications, usually creams, to reduce inflammation and pain. A dermatologist can also give advice on the best ways to cleanse and treat the dermatitis until it clears up on its own after radiation therapy is finished.
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