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Maiche, A., Isokangas, O.P., & Gröhn, P. (1994). Skin protection by sucralfate cream during electron beam therapy. Acta Oncologica, 33, 201–203.
To compare the efficacy of sucralfate cream to a control base cream in women receiving postoperative electron beam therapy to their chest wall
Intervention Characteristics/Basic Study Process
Patients were randomized to apply sucralfate containing 7% micronized sucrose sulfate or equivalent base cream on either side of the scar.
Sample Characteristics
N = 44
AGE RANGE = 33–84 years
MEAN AGE = 60 years
FEMALES: 100%
KEY DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Breast cancer of the chest wall
OTHER KEY SAMPLE CHARACTERISTICS: 6 MeV electron beam total dose 50 Gy—10 Gy weekly in five fractions. Surface area varied from 11 cm × 11cm–20 cm × 20 cm. The scar was situated horizontally in the middle of the portal image.
Setting
SITE: Single
LOCATION: Helsinki, Finland
Study Design
Quasi-experimental, double-blind design
Patients used as own controls
Measurement Instruments/Methods
Adverse effects were graded on a five-point rating scale (0 = no reaction; 1 = light erythema; 2 = dark erythema, area painful; 3 = wet desquamation; 4 = necrosis of the skin).
Patients were interviewed for their preference of cream.
Results
Grade 1 and 2 reactions appeared later on the areas treated with sucralfate cream. Grade 2 reactions in the entire sample were observed more often at four weeks (p = 0.01) and at five weeks (p > 0.01 but < 0.05). Recovery time of radiation-induced reactions was faster and, after finishing radiation therapy, the grade of skin reaction remained lower with the sucralfate cream than the base cream (p = 0.05).
Conclusions
Sucralfate may be of benefit in reducing severity of radiation dermatitis.
Limitations
No information is provided regarding patient compliance.
What the total dose was when checked weekly is unclear.