The frequency of acute radiodermatitis and associated risk factors among patients with breast cancer treated by radiotherapy

Abstract

Background: Acute radiodermatitis is a common side effect during and after radiotherapy course in breast cancer patients treated by radiotherapy. This study assess the frequency of acute radiodermatitis and record the predictive factors for acute radiodermatitis. Patients and Methods: A descriptive case series study conducted at Baghdad, Iraq from August 2020 to September 2021. 70 female scheduled for radiotherapy sessions enrolled in this study. sociodemographic data were recorded and Skin examination before radiotherapy and weekly till the end of the radiotherapy sessions was done to report the frequency, risk factors, clinical picture and grades of acute radiodermatitis based on The National Cancer Institute’s Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE 4). Results: Fifty four (77.1%) female developed acute radiodermatitis during their radiotherapy sessions: 38 (70.4%) was Grade I, 12 (22.2%) Grade II and 4 (7.4%) Grade III. Statistically significant more severe radiodermatitis Grade among conventional dose group (54.5%) compared to (23.3%) in hypofractionation group (P=0.043).  Acute radiodermatitis rate and grade was statistically significant high in patient using bolus during radiotherapy than in those did not use it (P=0.048, P=0.017) respectively. The Grade of radiodermatitis was statistically significant more severe in breast conservative surgery patients (P=0.046). Skin type I & II patients were more liable to radidermatitis compared with those with skin type III & IV (P=0.035). No significant associations between radiodermatitis and different patients’ and tumor characteristics. Conclusion: we found that conventional dose, addition of bolus, breast conservative surgery and patients skin type I&II were all significant factors that enhance skin reaction.   Keywords: Breast cancer, Radiotherapy, Radiodermatitis.