Introduction: Skin toxicity is a frequent side
effect of radio and chemo-treatments in patients treated for breast cancer
after conservative surgery. The aim of this paper is to report our experience
in the management of skin toxicity evaluating radiotherapy planning and using
preventive local aids. Materials and Methods: We have observed 300 patients undergoing
radiotherapy. All received the prescription of a prophylactic moisturizing
cream. Skin toxicity was valuated according to Acute Radiation Morbidity
Scoring Criteria of the RTOG. Moreover, in a subgroup of 100 patients, we
correlated the study of breast volume and features of treatment plans, with the
addition of topic prophylactic treatment, using an oral therapy based on
Resveratrol, Lycopene, Vitamin C and Anthocyanins (Ixor?). In
another subgroup, 100 patients were subjected to corneometry assessing
numerically skin hydration before, during and after radiotherapy. Results: In
all patients, we related skin toxicity and the type of cream used. All patients
completed the radiotherapy treatment, and G4 cutaneous toxicity was not observed
in any of them. In patients treated with topic treatment and therapy based on
Resveratrol, Lycopene, Vitamin C and Anthocyanins (Ixor?), the
protective effect of (Ixor?) is more detected in patients with PTV
(Planning Target Volume) <500 ml, when Dmax reaches values lower or equal to
107%, but not exceeding 110% of the prescribed dose, and in patients undergoing
adjuvant chemotherapy with anthracyclines and taxanes. The values of
corneometry allow us to evaluate the moisturizing effect for products used, and
identify cases of skin toxicity in a first phase. Conclusions: Our study
confirms the value of moisturizers in the prevention and resolution of radiotherapy-induced
skin damage. An instrumental assessment of skin hydration with corneometry can
help the radiation oncologist to use strategies that prevent the onset of
toxicity of high degree.