Radiation dermatitis

They are composed by all the reactions provoked by an irradiation of the skin. Radiation dermatitis appears between the 5th and the 10th sessions of radiotherapy. 

Radiotherapy is a current treatment of malignant tumors with ionizing radiations. It consists in applying a useful dose of radiations in the anatomical region touch to destroy the cells of the tumor.

Classification of radiation dermatitis :

grade 0 = no cutaneous modification.
grade 1 = follicular or moderate erythema, depilation, desquamation dries, decrease of sweating
grade 2 = erythema, rednesses, or dry desquamation at the level of cutaneous folds, moderate oedema.
grade 3 = general desquamation, severe oedema, bleedings lead by small traumatism or abrasion.
grade 4 = ulceration, bleeding, necrosis.

Few figures

Radiotherapy is used in 50% of cancer: 150.000 patients are treated by radiotherapy in France per year for instance.

On 100 cancers, 40 are cured thanks to radiotherapy only or radiotherapy associated with other therapeutics. Radiotherapy holds a dominating place in the not mutilating conservative treatments of cancer.

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What are the symptoms ?

Side effects due to radiotherapy are :

  • dryness
  • erythema, burning sensations
  • irritation, itching
  • œdema,  fibrosis
  • pain
  • dry desquamation
  • exsudation
  •  telangiectasia
  • necrosis

Which areas are concerned ?

Radiation dermatitis reach first cutaneous barrier (epidermatitis).

What are the consequences in the every-day life?

Locally, the cutaneous hurts can extend. Pains can appear. Radiation dermatitis damages the quality of life and could push patients to a suspension of the radiotherapy. As a consequence, it could decrease the efficiency of the treatment.

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