[The treatment of cutaneous radiation-induced fibrosis with pentoxifylline and vitamin E. An empirical report].

BACKGROUND

Radiation fibrosis represents a severe complication of radiation therapy; standardized treatment protocols are lacking so far. Surgical excision rarely results in complete healing.

PATIENT AND METHODS

We report on a 58-year-old female patient who developed a squamous cell carcinoma within the fibrotic area of the irradiation field on the right chest, resulting from a radiotherapy following mastectomy for breast cancer 17 years ago. After surgical excision of the carcinoma a combined treatment with pentoxifylline tablets (3 x 400 mg/d p.o.) and vitamin-E capsules (1 x 400 mg/d p.o.) was initiated. Skin thickness was quantified by 20 MHz-ultrasound before and during treatment.

RESULTS

The patient noted an increasing improvement of the condition of the affected skin starting from 4 months. A continuing decrease of skin thickness as documented by 20 MHz-ultrasound could be demonstrated from the 6th month on. The treatment was tolerated well, no side effects were observed.

CONCLUSION

The data indicate a beneficial therapeutic effect of pentoxifylline and vitamin E on radiation-induced fibrosis. Little is known about the mechanism of action of this combined treatment protocol including pentoxifylline and vitamin E. Controlled clinical trials should be performed to confirm this observation.