A randomized, controlled, double-blind study of light emitting diode photomodulation for the prevention of radiation dermatitis in patients with breast cancer.

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Radiation dermatitis occurs in a majority of patients with breast cancer who receive radiation therapy (RT), causes significant pain, and may necessitate treatment delay. Light emitting diode (LED) photomodulation has been reported to minimize radiation dermatitis. This study sought to further evaluate the efficacy of LED photomodulation in lessening radiation dermatitis.

MATERIALS & METHODS:

After surgery, patients with breast cancer received LED photomodulation or sham treatments in conjunction with three-dimensional conformal RT. Reactions were evaluated using standardized photographs graded according to National Cancer Institute criteria.

RESULTS:

In the LED treatment group (n=18), no patients had grade 0 reactions, six (33.3%) had grade 1 reactions, 12 (66.7%) had grade 2 reactions, and none had a grade 3 reaction. In the sham treatment group (n=15), one (6.6%) patient had a grade 0 reaction, four (26.7%) had grade 1 reactions, 9 (60.0%) had grade 2 reactions, and one (6.7%) had a grade 3 reaction. Two (11.1%) patients in the LED treatment group and one (6.7%) in the control group had to interrupt treatment. Differences between groups were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION:

LED photomodulation did not reduce the incidence of radiation-induced skin reactions or interruptions in therapy.

• Authors: Douglas Fife, David J Rayhan, Shahdad Behnam, Arisa Ortiz, Laila Elkeeb, Lisa Aquino, D Eduardo Roa, Nilam Ramsinghani, Jeffrey Kuo, Robert Newcomb, Christopher B Zachary, Kristen M Kelly
• Journal: Dermatologic surgery : official publication for American Society for Dermatologic Surgery [et al.] (Dermatol Surg) Vol. 36 Issue 12 Pg. 1921-7 (Dec 2010) ISSN: 1524-4725 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 21070458 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: © 2010 by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Inc.

Topics

• Breast Neoplasms (radiotherapy)
• Chi-Square Distribution
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Humans
• Phototherapy (instrumentation, methods)
• Prospective Studies
• Radiodermatitis (etiology, prevention & control)
• Surveys and Questionnaires
• Thermoluminescent Dosimetry
• Treatment Outcome