Assessment of radiation dermatitis using objective analysis for patients with breast cancer treated with breast-conserving therapy: influence of body weight.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effect of patient factors on radiation dermatitis for patients with breast cancer who underwent postoperative radiotherapy after breast-conserving surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study population comprised 87 patients who underwent breast-conserving surgery followed by 50 Gy/25 fractions (median) of radiotherapy with or without boost radiation (10 Gy/5 fractions). We examined their treated and contralateral breast skin color by use of an objective analyzer, and expressed findings as L, a, b ratios by dividing by pre-RT values. Next, we examined correlation between patient factors (age, height, body weight, and body mass index, BMI) and change of L and a values by use of correlation coefficients.

RESULTS

Radiation therapy caused changes in a and L ratios (p < 0.0001) but not in b ratio. The a ratio (reddish) increased 1.4-fold and peaked after radiotherapy. The L ratio (darkening) decreased by 10 % and reached a minimum value between completion of radiotherapy and 1 month after treatment. Although, age and height did not affect Δ value, body weight and BMI correlated significantly with Δa value (p = 0.0012 and 0.0017) not with ΔL value.

CONCLUSION

Body weight and BMI predict degree of radiation dermatitis, and more reddish dermatitis was observed for heavier patients than for their lighter counterparts.