Lucey P, Zouzias C, Franco L, Chennupati SK, Kalnicki S, McLellan BN, et al.
Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Car.... Date of publication 2017 Sep 1;volume 25(9):2857-2862.
1. Support Care Cancer. 2017 Sep;25(9):2857-2862. doi: 10.1007/s00520-017-3701-0.
Epub 2017 Apr 14.
Practice patterns for the prophylaxis and treatment of acute radiation dermatitis
in the United States.
Lucey P(1), Zouzias C(1), Franco L(1), Chennupati SK(2), Kalnicki S(3), McLellan
BN(4).
Author information:
(1)Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of
Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA.
(2)Department of Radiation Oncology, Diablo Valley Oncology and Hematology
Medical Group, Pleasant Hill, CA, USA.
(3)Department of Radiation Oncology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx,
New York, USA.
(4)Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of
Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA. bethnmclellan@gmail.com.
PURPOSE: Due to the inconclusive evidence for available treatment options,
management of radiation dermatitis (RD) varies among practitioners. This study
defines and reviews the current treatment patterns for RD in the USA, providing
guidance for practicing physicians as well as directions for future research.
METHODS: An online survey of 21 questions was emailed to all 5626 members of the
2013 American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) directory, which included
radiation oncologists, residents, fellows, physician assistants, nurse
practitioners, registered nurses and other care providers. The questions were
designed to evaluate demographics of responders, their training and comfort in
the management RD, and their patterns of care regarding prophylaxis and treatment
of RD. Data was analyzed using simple summary and descriptive statistics.
RESULTS: Out of the 5626 emails sent, we were left with 709 physician respondents
for our analysis, or a response rate of 12.9%. Although 84.7% of physicians felt
that RD had a moderate or large impact on patients' quality of life during cancer
treatment, only 30.1% received special training or specific instructional courses
in treating RD during their medical training in residency or fellowship.
Eighty-nine percent of surveyed physicians rely on observational and/or anecdotal
findings to guide treatment decisions, and 51.4% reported using evidence-based
treatments.
CONCLUSION: The results of our study show that there is great variability in the
topical agents and dressings used in practice by radiation oncologists to prevent
and treat RD. This information may be useful to other practitioners to develop
their own personal recommendations and can guide further research into strategies
to prevent and treat radiation dermatitis.
DOI: 10.1007/s00520-017-3701-0
PMID: 28411323 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
