Proton beam therapy-induced ADR can be treated effectively by topical corticosteroids: Study

Taiwan: A new study found that in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), acute radiation dermatitis (ARD) induced by proton beam therapy (PBT) can be treated effectively by topical corticosteroid, silver sulfadiazine, and non-adhering silicone dressing. The article was published in the International Wound Journal.

Nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) is a rare and geographically unique, squamous epithelial carcinoma occurring in the mucosal wall of the nasopharynx. Radiotherapy (RT) with or without the combination of chemotherapy is the major treatment for NPC. Proton beam therapy (PBT) is an advanced form of radiotherapy, with radiation treatment delivered by accelerated proton beams rather than X-rays. In recent years, PBT has been embraced for treating patients with NPC. However, Some studies have reported a high incidence of severe ARD for cancer patients treated with PBT.

Ko-Chun Fang, Kaohsiung Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taiwan and colleagues initiated an observational study to investigate the prognostic factors and treatment outcomes of ARD among patients with NPC treated with PBT.

Researchers enrolled 57 patients with newly diagnosed NPC and were treated with PBT for the study. ARD was recorded weekly based on the criteria of Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.0 at treatment visits (1st to 7th weeks) and 1 week (8th week) and 1 month (11th week) after the completion of PBT. Topical corticosteroid was used when grade 1 ARD appeared, and silver sulfadiazine was added if ARD progressed to grade 2 or more. Non-adhering silicone dressing was applied over the cream, but only in the area with severe ARD.