Palatty, P.L., Azmidah, A., Rao, S., Jayachander, D., Thilakchand, K.R., Rai, M.P., . . . Baliga, M.S. (2014). Topical application of a sandal wood oil and turmeric based cream prevents radiodermatitis in head and neck cancer patients undergoing external beam radiotherapy: A pilot study. The British Journal of Radiology, 87, 20130490.

To investigate the effectiveness of a turmeric and sandalwood oil cream (Vicco^® turmeric cream [VTC]) compared to Johnson’s Baby Oil^® (JBO) for the treatment of radiodermatitis in patients with head and neck cancer receiving radiotherapy

Beginning on day 1 of external beam radiation therapy (EBRT), subjects applied either JBO (2 ml) or VTC (2 g) five times per day (two hours before; immediately after; and two, four, and six hours after radiotherapy) until two weeks post-EBRT. No other topical emollients were permitted. A patch test was performed on an unaffected area of the participant’s back before radiotherapy commenced to check for hypersensitivity reactions to the intervention. The researchers showed due diligence educating the participants and care providers on how to provide skin care during radiotherapy.

• N = 46  
• AGE RANGE = 43–64 years
• MALES: 74%, FEMALES: 26%
• KEY DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Head and neck cancers
• OTHER KEY SAMPLE CHARACTERISTICS: Patients all were receiving active treatment > 50 Gy.

• SITE: Single-site
• SETTING TYPE: Outpatient
• LOCATION: Mangalore, India

• PHASE OF CARE: Active antitumor treatment

Investigator-blinded, randomized, prospective study

• Radiodermatitis was measured using the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group's (RTOG's) Skin Toxicity Scale every Tuesday and Thursday by a senior cancer physician who was blinded to the treatment arm.

The authors found that none of the patients experienced an allergic reaction to VTC or JBO. Overall, the study reported statistically significant findings in favor of using VTC over JBO, including a statistically significant (p < 0.01) rate for grade 3 toxicity in 9.5% of patients receiving VTC versus 37.5% in those using JBO. Two weeks postradiation therapy, a p < 0.015 significance was reported for the VTC group showing decreased dermatitis compared to the JBO group.

The incidence and severity of radiodermatitis was significantly lower in the VTC arm compared to the JBO arm of this study. However, the researcher's description of the results of the statistical analyses within the body of the article were unclear.

• Small sample (< 100)
• Other limitations/explanation: This was not a double-blinded study. Random assignment was accomplished by the investigator handing participants opaque envelopes containing their treatment arm assignments.

This study found that a cream containing turmeric might be helpful for the prevention and management of radiodermatitis; however, the sample size was small. Additional well designed research to demonstrate effects is needed.