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Pazdrowski J, Polańska A, Kaźmierska J, Kowalczyk MJ, Szewczyk M, Niewinski P, Golusiński W, Dańczak-Pazdrowska A. The Assessment of the Long-Term Impact of Radiotherapy on Biophysical Skin Properties in Patients after Head and Neck Cancer. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2024; 60:739. [PMID: 38792923 PMCID: PMC11122895 DOI: 10.3390/medicina60050739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Chronic radiotherapy-induced skin injury (cRISI) is an irreversible and progressive condition that can significantly impact a patient's quality of life. Despite the limited literature available on the assessment of the epidermal barrier in cRISI, there is a consensus that appropriate skincare, including the use of emollients, is the primary therapeutic approach for this group of patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biophysical properties of the skin during the late period (at least 90 days) following radiation therapy (RT) for head and neck cancer. Materials and Methods: This was a single-center prospective non-randomized study. It involved the analysis of 16 adult patients with head and neck cancer who underwent RT at the Greater Poland Cancer Center, along with 15 healthy volunteers. The study and control groups were matched for gender and age (p = 0.51). Clinical assessment, based on the LENT-SOMA scale, was conducted for all patients. Evaluation of the skin's biophysical properties included: an analysis of transepidermal water loss (TEWL), stratum corneum hydration (SCH), and skin visualization using high-frequency ultrasonography (HF-USG). Results: A significantly higher TEWL was observed in the irradiated area compared to the control area in the study group (p = 0.004). However, there was no statistically significant difference in SCH (p = 0.073). Additionally, no significant difference was observed in the values of TEWL and SCH in the irradiated area between the group of patients with and without clinically obvious RISI (p = 0.192 and p = 0.415, respectively). The skin thickness of the irradiated area, assessed by HF-USG, did not differ significantly from the skin thickness of the control area (p = 0.638). Furthermore, no difference in skin thickness was observed in patients with clinical features of cRISI in the irradiated and control areas (p = 0.345). The mean time after RT was 6.1 years. Conclusions: This study marks the first demonstration of epidermal barrier damage in patients in the long term following RT for head and neck cancer. The impairment of the epidermal barrier was observed independently of evident cRISI features. This observation underscores the necessity to recommend appropriate skin care, including the use of emollients, for all patients following RT. We also suggest that HF-USG examination is generally inconclusive in determining the degree of skin damage in the late period after RT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakub Pazdrowski
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-866 Poznan, Poland; (M.S.); (P.N.); (W.G.)
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, 61-866 Poznan, Poland
| | - Adriana Polańska
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-355 Poznan, Poland; (A.P.)
| | - Joanna Kaźmierska
- Radiotherapy Department II, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, 61-866 Poznan, Poland;
- Department of Electroradiology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-866 Poznan, Poland
| | - Michał J. Kowalczyk
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-355 Poznan, Poland; (A.P.)
| | - Mateusz Szewczyk
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-866 Poznan, Poland; (M.S.); (P.N.); (W.G.)
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, 61-866 Poznan, Poland
| | - Patryk Niewinski
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-866 Poznan, Poland; (M.S.); (P.N.); (W.G.)
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, 61-866 Poznan, Poland
| | - Wojciech Golusiński
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-866 Poznan, Poland; (M.S.); (P.N.); (W.G.)
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, 61-866 Poznan, Poland
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Chen W, Lu W, Yuan Y, Li L, Deng H, Ye X. The role of ultrasound quantitative parameters in the assessment of acute radiodermatitis after breast-conserving surgery. JOURNAL OF RADIATION RESEARCH 2023:7153713. [PMID: 37154691 DOI: 10.1093/jrr/rrad029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to assess the severity of acute radiodermatitis (ARD) by ultrasound quantitative parameters and to try to identify the influencing factors of skin toxicity. A total of 55 patients who underwent radiotherapy after unilateral breast-conserving surgery (BCS) were included in the study. The irradiated side of the breast was used as the research object and the quantitative ultrasound parameters (skin thickness, shear wave elasticity) were evaluated before radiotherapy, every week during radiotherapy. Two weeks after radiotherapy, the patients were divided into two groups, according to the World Health Organization scoring standard: mild (0-2 grade) and severe (3-4 grade). The differences in the parameters between the groups and the changes during radiotherapy were compared, and the relationship between these parameters and the severity of ARD was analyzed. In addition, some clinical factors that may affect ARD were also included in our study. Ninety-eight percent of patients developed different degrees of ARD, and Group 2 accounted for ~31%. At the end of 5 weeks of radiotherapy, the difference in thickness between the two groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05). There was no significant change in the elastic modulus of breast skin between the two groups (P > 0.05). Body mass index >25 kg/m2, breast thickness ≥18 mm, skin basic elastic modulus <23 kPa and skin thickness increment >0.3 mm were considered to be associated with severe skin reactions (P < 0.05). Ultrasound can be a useful tool for the non-invasive and objective assessment of skin changes during radiotherapy, documenting quantitative changes in the skin of breast cancer patients following BCS undergoing radiotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenqin Chen
- Department of Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
| | - Wenjuan Lu
- Department of Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
| | - Ya Yuan
- Department of Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
| | - Lu Li
- Department of Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
| | - Hongyan Deng
- Department of Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
| | - Xinhua Ye
- Department of Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
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Hussein FA, Manan HA, Mustapha AWMM, Sidek K, Yahya N. Ultrasonographic Evaluation of Skin Toxicity Following Radiotherapy of Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:13439. [PMID: 36294025 PMCID: PMC9603505 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192013439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The present review aimed to systematically review skin toxicity changes following breast cancer radiotherapy (RT) using ultrasound (US). PubMed and Scopus databases were searched according to PRISMA guidelines. The characteristics of the selected studies, measured parameters, US skin findings, and their association with clinical assessments were extracted. Seventeen studies were included with a median sample size of 29 (range 11-166). There were significant US skin changes in the irradiated skin compared to the nonirradiated skin or baseline measurements. The most observed change is skin thickening secondary to radiation-induced oedema, except one study found skin thinning after pure postmastectomy RT. However, eight studies reported skin thickening predated RT attributed to axillary surgery. Four studies used US radiofrequency (RF) signals and found a decrease in the hypodermis's Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC). Three studies reported decreased dermal echogenicity and poor visibility of the dermis-subcutaneous fat boundary (statistically analysed by one report). The present review revealed significant ultrasonographic skin toxicity changes in the irradiated skin most commonly skin thickening. However, further studies with large cohorts, appropriate US protocol, and baseline evaluation are needed. Measuring other US skin parameters and statistically evaluating the degree of the association with clinical assessments are also encouraged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatimah Alaa Hussein
- Makmal Pemprosesan Imej Kefungsian (Functional Image Processing Laboratory), Department of Radiology, University Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Jalan Yaacob Latif, Bandar Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia
| | - Hanani Abdul Manan
- Makmal Pemprosesan Imej Kefungsian (Functional Image Processing Laboratory), Department of Radiology, University Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Jalan Yaacob Latif, Bandar Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia
- Department of Radiology and Intervensi, Hospital Pakar Kanak-Kanak (Children Specialist Hospital), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Yaacob Latif, Bandar Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia
| | - Aida W. M. Mohd Mustapha
- Department of Radiology, Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Jalan Yaacob Latif, Bandar Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia
| | - Khairiyah Sidek
- Department of Radiotherapy, University Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Jalan Yaacob Latif, Bandar Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia
| | - Noorazrul Yahya
- Diagnostic Imaging & Radiotherapy Program, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Diagnostic & Applied Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 50300, Malaysia
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Kilbreath SL, Fearn NR, Dylke ES. Ultrasound: Assessment of breast dermal thickness: Reliability, responsiveness to change, and relationship to patient-reported outcomes. Skin Res Technol 2021; 28:111-118. [PMID: 34455642 PMCID: PMC9907601 DOI: 10.1111/srt.13100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The current study assessed the level of reliability of ultrasound to assess dermal thickness, a clinical feature of breast lymphedema. Additionally, the relationship of dermal thickness to patient-reported outcomes was investigated. METHODS Women (n = 82) with unilateral breast edema secondary to treatment of breast cancer were randomized to an exercise or control group. Ultrasound measurements of the unaffected and affected breasts were taken at baseline and 12 weeks later at 3-4 cm superior, medial, inferior, and lateral to the nipple. Additionally, women completed breast-related questions from the European Organization Research and Treatment Committee Quality of Life breast cancer module (EORTC-BR23) and Lymphedema Symptom Intensity and Distress Questionnaire (LSIDS). Reliability of ultrasound measurements was determined on the unaffected breast. RESULTS Intraclass correlation coefficients (2,1) ranged from 0.66 (95% CI: 0.52-0.77) for the lateral location to 0.84 (0.77-0.90) for the superior location. Percent close agreement (80%) on the unaffected breast ranged from 0.20 to 0.27 mm compared to 0.57 to 0.93 mm on the affected breast. The standard error of measurement (%) on the unaffected breast varied from 9% to 13% with smallest real difference 0.34-0.41 mm. Dermal thickness of the affected breast was not-to-poorly associated with EORTC BR23 and LSIDS scores. CONCLUSION Reliability of dermal thickness measurements of the breast was excellent for the superior, medial, and inferior locations, and fair to good for the lateral location. However, these measurements were not related to the symptom's women perceive and measured with the EORTC BR23 or LSIDS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon L Kilbreath
- Sydney School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Nicola R Fearn
- Sydney School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Elizabeth S Dylke
- Sydney School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Pazdrowski J, Dańczak‐Pazdrowska A, Polańska A, Kaźmierska J, Barczak W, Szewczyk M, Golusiński P, Adamski Z, Żaba R, Golusiński W. An ultrasonographic monitoring of skin condition in patients receiving radiotherapy for head and neck cancers. Skin Res Technol 2019; 25:857-861. [DOI: 10.1111/srt.12745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2019] [Accepted: 06/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jakub Pazdrowski
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery Poznan University of Medical Sciences Poznan Poland
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery The Greater Poland Cancer Centre Poznan Poland
| | | | - Adriana Polańska
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology Poznan University of Medical Sciences Poznan Poland
| | - Joanna Kaźmierska
- Radiotherapy Department II Greater Poland Cancer Center Poznan Poland
- Electroradiology Department University of Medical Sciences Poznan Poland
| | - Wojciech Barczak
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery Poznan University of Medical Sciences Poznan Poland
- Radiobiology Lab The Greater Poland Cancer Centre Poznan Poland
| | - Mateusz Szewczyk
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery Poznan University of Medical Sciences Poznan Poland
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery The Greater Poland Cancer Centre Poznan Poland
| | - Paweł Golusiński
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery Poznan University of Medical Sciences Poznan Poland
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery The Greater Poland Cancer Centre Poznan Poland
| | - Zygmunt Adamski
- Department of Dermatology Poznan University of Medical Sciences Poznan Poland
| | - Ryszard Żaba
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology Poznan University of Medical Sciences Poznan Poland
| | - Wojciech Golusiński
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery Poznan University of Medical Sciences Poznan Poland
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery The Greater Poland Cancer Centre Poznan Poland
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Grau C, Høyer M, Poulsen PR, Muren LP, Korreman SS, Tanderup K, Lindegaard JC, Alsner J, Overgaard J. Rethink radiotherapy - BIGART 2017. Acta Oncol 2017; 56:1341-1352. [PMID: 29148908 DOI: 10.1080/0284186x.2017.1371326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Cai Grau
- Department of Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Morten Høyer
- Department of Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Ludvig Paul Muren
- Department of Medical Physics, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Kari Tanderup
- Department of Medical Physics, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Jan Alsner
- Department of Experimental Clinical Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Jens Overgaard
- Department of Experimental Clinical Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
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Garnier M, Champeaux E, Laurent E, Boehm A, Briard O, Wachter T, Vaillant L, Patat F, Bens G, Machet L. High-frequency ultrasound quantification of acute radiation dermatitis: pilot study of patients undergoing radiotherapy for breast cancer. Skin Res Technol 2017; 23:602-606. [PMID: 28513053 DOI: 10.1111/srt.12378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute radiation dermatitis (ARD) is a frequent complication after breast cancer radiotherapy and is usually assessed by semi-quantitative clinical scores, which may be subject to inter-observer variability. High-frequency ultrasound imaging of the skin can reliably quantify thickness and edema in diseased skin. We aimed to compare the relative increase in dermal thickness of the irradiated zone in breast-cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy, with clinical severity. METHODS A consecutive series of patients undergoing treatment for breast cancer by lumpectomy and radiotherapy in a 6-month period also underwent clinical and ultrasound evaluation of ARD. RESULTS We included 34 female patients 17 had grade 1 (group 1), 17 had grade 2 or grade 3 ARD (group 2). The mean relative increase in dermal thickness in irradiated skin (RIDTIS) was greater for group 2 than 1: 0.53 vs 0.29 mm (P=.023). On univariate analysis, ARD was associated with skin phototype, breast volume and RIDTIS, and on multivariable analysis, breast volume and age remained predictive of the disease. CONCLUSION Patients with more severe dermatitis showed significantly increased dermal thickness. Dermal thickness is a quantitative variable that could help quantify the efficacy of drugs and improve the treatment of this disease in patients undergoing radiotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Garnier
- Department of Dermatology, CHRU Tours, Tours, France.,Department of Radiotherapy, CHR Orléans, Orléans, France
| | - E Champeaux
- Department of Radiotherapy, CHR Orléans, Orléans, France
| | - E Laurent
- Department of Epidemiology, CHRU Tours, Tours, France
| | - A Boehm
- Department of Radiotherapy, CHR Orléans, Orléans, France
| | - O Briard
- Department of Radiotherapy, CHR Orléans, Orléans, France
| | - T Wachter
- Department of Radiotherapy, CHR Orléans, Orléans, France
| | - L Vaillant
- Department of Dermatology, CHRU Tours, Tours, France.,Inserm U930, Université François-Rabelais de Tours, Tours, France
| | - F Patat
- Inserm U930, Université François-Rabelais de Tours, Tours, France
| | - G Bens
- Department of Dermatology, CHR Orléans, Orléans, France
| | - L Machet
- Department of Dermatology, CHRU Tours, Tours, France.,Inserm U930, Université François-Rabelais de Tours, Tours, France
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