Factors on Development and Severity of Acute Radiodermatitis: Prospective Single-Centre Study

Abstract Background: Although prior literature has examined the treatment and patient-associated factors affecting the development and severity of acute radiodermatitis, there are relatively few prospective studies evaluating both.Aims and Objectives: This study was prospectively designed to evaluate factors affecting the development and extent of radiation-induced acute skin toxicity called radiodermatitis (RD).Materials and Methods: A total of 63 patients who underwent radiotherapy (RT) in Ankara Atatürk Research and Education Hospital between 20.06.2016 and 21.10.2017 were evaluated. Patients' demographic status, disease/treatment details, anemia, and diabetic profile tests’ (hemoglobin, ferritin, folic acid, Vit B12, and hemoglobin A1c) were recorded. The development and the degree of RD were assessed weekly by treating radiation oncologists using Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) radiation toxicity manual.Results: The development of any grade of RD was not significantly affected by gender, concurrent chemotherapy (CT), pre-RT CT, the comorbid disease, RT technic, and anemia & diabetic profile tests’ values. The development of grade 2-3 RD was significantly affected by the number of operations (p = 0.032) and total dose of RT (p = 0.008). The starting dose for RD is 20 Gy in patients with grade 2-3 RD and 32 Gy in patients with grade 1 RD (p = 0.018).Conclusion: There was no significant relationship between RD and anemia/diabetic profile parameters. The severity of RD was associated with recurrent surgical intervention, total dose, and early onset of RD.