Dermatitis during radiation for vulvar carcinoma: prevention and treatment with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor impregnated gauze.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) impregnated gauze in preventing or healing radiation-induced dermatitis. Sixty-one patients were irradiated for vulvar carcinoma. Thirty-seven applied steroid cream at irradiated areas throughout radiotherapy (Group A) and 24 patients applied additionally GM-CSF impregnated gauze (40 micrcog/cm2 of skin-irradiated area, twice per day) in addition to the steroid cream, after 20 Gy of irradiation (Group B). The score of skin reactions (P=0.008, chi2 test) and the time interval of radiotherapy interruption (P=0.037, Mann-Whitney U test) were statistically significantly reduced in Group B patients. Multivariate analysis of variance showed for this group not only a significant reduction in the Sum of Gross Dermatitis Scoring (P<0.001, adjusted for Duration of Dermatitis) but also a significant reduction of the healing time (P=0.02, adjusted for Sum of Gross Dermatitis Scoring). The pain grading was less (P=0.014, chi2 test) and pain reduction was noticed sooner after the application of GM-CSF impregnated gauze (P=0.0017, Mann-Whitney U test). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the only significant effect on dermatitis score is due to Body Mass Index (P=0.034) and the application of GM-CSF (P=0.008). GM-CSF impregnated gauze can be effective in preventing and healing radiation-induced dermatitis and in reducing the interruption intervals of radiotherapy for vulvar carcinomas.

• Authors: J R Kouvaris, V E Kouloulias, G A Plataniotis, E J Balafouta, L J Vlahos
• Journal: Wound repair and regeneration : official publication of the Wound Healing Society [and] the European Tissue Repair Society (Wound Repair Regen) 2001 May-Jun Vol. 9 Issue 3 Pg. 187-93 ISSN: 1067-1927 [Print] United States
• PMID: 11472614 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Controlled Clinical Trial, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor
• Betamethasone

Topics

• Acute Disease
• Administration, Cutaneous
• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Bandages
• Betamethasone (administration & dosage)
• Carcinoma, Squamous Cell (radiotherapy)
• Clinical Nursing Research
• Female
• Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor (administration & dosage)
• Humans
• Logistic Models
• Middle Aged
• Multivariate Analysis
• Pain (diagnosis, etiology)
• Primary Prevention (methods)
• Radiodermatitis (classification, etiology, nursing, prevention & control)
• Severity of Illness Index
• Skin Care (methods, nursing)
• Treatment Outcome
• Vulvar Neoplasms (radiotherapy)
• Wound Healing