CUTANEOUS EFFECTS OF RADIOTHERAPY- A REVIEW ARTICLE

CUTANEOUS EFFECTS OF RADIOTHERAPY- A REVIEW ARTICLE

Authors

  • Dr Syed Yousuf Ali Shadan institute of medical sciences ,Teaching Hospital and Research Centre,a post graduate institute,Hyderabad
  • Dr. Harin Reddy Shadan institute of medical sciences ,Teaching Hospital and Research Centre,a post graduate institute,Hyderabad
  • Dr. Syed Fiaz Hussain Shadan institute of medical sciences ,Teaching Hospital and Research Centre,a post graduate institute,Hyderabad

Abstract

Radiotherapy is a common modality in cancer treatment and more than 50 % of affected patients will eventually receive some form of radiotherapy as definite, preoperative, postoperative or palliative treatment.

Radiation induced skin changes were recognized soon after the discovery of x-rays and were scientifically reported as early as 1902. Even when the skin is not the primary target, it may be injured as an innocent bystander and develop profound alteration on functional, gross and molecular levels.

Radiotherapy can result in common, inevitable cutaneous side effects such as acute radiodermatitis, chronic radiodermatitis and skin cancers.

Acute radiation dermatitis manifests as erythema, edema, burning or tingling, pruritus, pigmentation, desquamation, epilation, shedding of nails, vesiculation or bulla formation, erosion or ulceration. Chronic radiation changes include excessive wrinkling or atrophy of the skin, hyperpigmentation, permanent loss of hair, excessive dryness of skin, excessive longitudinal ridging of nails, keratosis and skin carcinomas.

Published

2014-02-05

Issue

Vol 4 No 1 (2014): INNOVATIVE JOURNAL OF MEDICAL & HEALTH SCIENCE

Section

Articles