Dermatologic toxicities associated with radiation therapy in women with breast cancer

Int J Womens Dermatol. 2020 Sep 30;6(5):349-356. doi: 10.1016/j.ijwd.2020.07.015. eCollection 2020 Dec.

Abstract

Breast-conserving surgery with adjuvant radiation therapy has become the standard of care for women with early stage breast cancer, and as a result, a large number of patients are affected by the cutaneous sequelae of radiation therapy. These dermatologic toxicities may present during treatment or years later and can significantly impact patients' quality of life. In this review, we discuss the clinical presentation, prevention, and management of radiation-induced cutaneous toxicities in women with breast cancer, including radiation dermatitis, radiation recall, radiation-induced morphea, radiation-induced fibrosis, and cutaneous malignancies in irradiated skin.

Keywords: Breast cancer; Cutaneous toxicities; Oncodermatology; Radiation dermatitis; Radiation therapy; Radiation-induced morphea.

Publication types

  • Review