StrataXRT® for the management of radiation induced skin reactions Radiation Dermatitis – The Unwelcome Consequence of a Life-Saving Therapy
Radiation dermatitis is an acute skin reaction affecting approximately 95% of patients who receive radiation therapy to the breast, groins or perineum.1,2,3 It generally ranges from erythema to dry or even moist desquamation and can be a source of significant pain, discomfort and psychological distress. In particular, moist desquamation poses the risk of infection and can result in treatment breaks which impair patient outcomes.3
· Up to 50–60% of patients receiving cancer · The introduction of modern mega-voltage treatment treatment will undergo radiation therapy machines with skin-sparing capabilities have at some stage of their illness.1,4,5 improved but not eliminated skin toxicities.6
How do the current therapies rate? Studies assessing lotions, creams, or emulsions (aloe vera, hyaluronic acid, corticosteroids, sucralfate) either showed no benefit in managing radiation dermatitis or provided conflicting evidence.7,8,9 It is essential that any skin damage is minimized by ensuring that interventions are based upon best practice, and supported by evidence-based guidelines.2
Consensus goals of care for skin reactions during radiation therapy8, 10, 11 StrataXRT scores
Initial maintenance of skin integrity
Reduced potential of further exacerbation of skin reactions
Minimized water loss and optimized skin hydration by means of topical agents
Promotion of comfort and compliance
Reduction of pain and pruritus without causing a bolus effect
Control of bleeding, odor and excessive exudate (in combination with secondary dressing)
Provides ideal environment for rapid healing and re-epithelialization
Promotion of moist wound healing environment where skin is broken
Protection from trauma & friction
Protection of infection
2 Web www.CivcoRT.com Email [email protected] The RTOG Scale for Radiation Dermatitis
The RTOG scale (Radiation Therapy Oncology Group) provides a standardized description of radiation induced side effects. Interventions are usually matched to the skin’s reaction based on its assessment and the RTOG score.
RTOG Observation: Observation: Scale Score External Signs Cellular Level Clinical Assessment Treatment Goals
Maintain soft, supple, clean, No visible change to skin 0 odor free and intact skin.
Maintain soft, supple, clean Redness. Inflammation odor free, intact skin, reduce 1 Mild tightness/itch irritation and promote comfort.
Promote skin hydration, Sensitive skin with bright redness comfort and maintain skin With/without dry desquamation 2 integrity. Reduce itch, pain, Tightness/itch/sore soreness and discomfort.
Reduce risk of complications Photos from several patients. Patchy moist desquamation of further trauma and Other scales of measurement 2.5 Moderate oozing infection. Reduce pain, include RISRAS and CTCAE. The key soreness and discomfort.13 measurement point on this RTOG scale is level 2.5 (2b), which denotes the first level of the appearance of Reduce the risk of moist desqumation. Confluent moist desquamation infection, minimize pain 3 Pitting oozing Images (RTOG 0–3) courtesy of and trauma of the skin. The Princess Royal Radiotherapy Review Team, St James’s Institute of Oncology, The Leeds Teaching Debride the wound. Control Hospitals NHS Trust. Taken from the associated bleeding and 4 Ulceration, bleeding, necrosis publication “Managing Radiotherapy oozing (exudate), minimize Induced Skin Reactions, a Toolkit for effects of wound infection. Healthcare Professionals”.
Progression of symptoms and skin changes according to the RTOG scale during radiation therapy*
* Curve generated from the general progression of radiation dermatitis for patients undergoing radiation therapy. Levels of reaction differ significantly between patients and treatments. If untreated however the level of reaction generally follow the shape of this curve.4
Web www.CivcoRT.com Email [email protected] Global Sales 800.842.8688 | +1 712.737.8688 3 Why is StrataXRT an Innovative Wound Dressing?
StrataXRT film-forming gel dries as a thin, flexible and protective layer that is gas permeable, waterproof, inert and has no measurable pH value.
Can be applied Faster re-epitheliali Does not cause Lightly bonds from day one of zation12 promoted bolus effect14 to the most radiation therapy by a moist superficial wound healing damaged layer environment of the skin
Sterile, biologically Fast drying For best resut, Full contact inert and leave in constant flexible wound bacteriostatic contact with dressing the skin
Management of Radiation Dermatitis with StrataXRT
StrataXRT helps to reduce Trans Epidermal Water Loss (TEWL) while promoting a moist Application wound healing environment, leading to: of StrataXRT · Faster re-epithelialization12 of the skin post- therapy · Relief of low grade cutaneous changes such as dry, itching, flaking, peeling and irritated skin Stratum corneum · Reduced pain, redness and heat, while helping to soothe exposed areas in more severe inflammatory changes Immature cell StrataXRT protects the fragile epidermis Dead cell during dry desquamation leading to: · Preservation of the skin integrity · Prevention of excessive sloughing of the outmost layers Irradiated site StrataXRT protects the dermal stroma from long-term deterioration during moist desquamation leading to: · Optimization of the environment for the reparative process · Reducing the risk of infection
4 Web www.CivcoRT.com Email [email protected] Measurement of Clinical Signs and Symptoms During Radiation Therapy Treatment