Maiche, A., Isokangas, O.P., & Gröhn, P. (1994). Skin protection by sucralfate cream during electron beam therapy. Acta Oncologica, 33, 201–203.

 

DOI Link

Study Purpose

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.
  • Where the rating scale came from is unclear.
  • Small sample size