Barrier film for prevention and treatment of radiation dermatitis: a WHAM evidence summary

Radiation dermatitis (RD) is an acute skin reaction that occurs as a result of radiotherapy used to treat a range of different cancers. Severity of symptoms ranges from erythema to dry desquamation (dry flaky skin with itching) to moist desquamation (serous exudate, oedema and blistering). Level 1 evidence1-3 reporting effectiveness of barrier films for preventing RD. Some studies2-4 showed statistically significant reductions in severity of RD and reduction in patient-reported symptoms.; however, the volume of evidence was small. Largest effect was achieved with a silicone-based barrier film forming gel dressing that was associated with a 41% reduction in risk of grade 2 RD.4 Level 1 and 3 evidence4, 5 failed to demonstrate a benefit in using a barrier film to treat existing RD.