Background Recent improvement of machinery evaluation for the skin changes in various therapies enabled us to evaluate fine changes quantitatively. In this study, we performed evaluation of the changes in radiation dermatitis (RD) using quantitative and qualitative methods, and verified the validity of the conventional qualitative assessment for clinical use. Methods Forty-three breast cancer patients received conventional fractionated radiotherapy to whole breast after breastconserving surgery. Erythema, pigmentation and skin dryness were evaluated qualitatively, and biophysical parameters of RD were measured using a Multi-Display Device MDD4 with a Corneometer for capacitance, a Tewameter for transepidermal water loss (TEWL), a Mexameter for erythema index and melanin index. Measurements were performed periodically until 1 year. Results The quantitative manifestations developed serially from skin erythema followed by dryness and pigmentation. Quantitative measurements detected the effects of irradiation earlier than that of qualitative indices. However, the grades of the domains in RD by qualitative and quantitative assessment showed similar time courses and peak periods. However, no significant correlation was observed between the skin dryness grade and skin barrier function. In contrast to serial increase in pigmentation grades, melanin index showed initial decrease followed by marked increase with significant correlation with pigmentation grades. Conclusion Subjectively and objectively measured results of RD were almost similar course and peak points through the study. Therefore, validity of the conventional qualitative scoring for RD is confirmed by the present quantitative assessments. Instrumental evaluations revealed the presence of modest inflammatory changes before radiotherapy and long-lasting skin dryness, suggesting indication of intervention for RD.

Trimodality therapy consisting of high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy combined with external beam radiation therapy (EBRT), neoadjuvant hormonal therapy (NHT) and adjuvant hormonal therapy (AHT) has been used to treat localized high-risk prostate cancer. In this study, an analysis of patients receiving the trimodality therapy was performed to identify prognostic factors of biochemical relapse-free survival (bRFS). Between May 2005 and November 2008, 123 high-risk prostate cancer patients (D'Amico classification) were treated with NHT prior to HDR brachytherapy combined with hypofractionated EBRT. Among these patients, 121 had completed AHT. The patients were assigned by time to be treated with a low-dose or high-dose arm of HDR brachytherapy with subsequent hypofractionated 3D conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT). Multivariate analysis was used to determine prognostic factors for bRFS. With a median follow-up of 60 months, the 5-year bRFS for all patients was 84.3% (high-dose arm, 92.9%; low-dose arm, 72.4%, P = 0.047). bRFS in the pre-HDR PSA ≤ 0.1 ng/ml subgroup was significantly improved compared with that in the pre-HDR PSA > 0.1 ng/ml subgroup (88.3% vs 68.2%, P = 0.034). On multivariate analysis, dose of HDR (P = 0.045, HR = 0.25, 95% CI = 0.038–0.97) and pre-HDR PSA level (P = 0.02 HR = 3.2, 95% CI = 1.18–10.16) were significant prognostic factors predicting bRFS. In high-risk prostate cancer patients treated with the trimodality therapy, the dose of HDR and pre-HDR PSA were significant prognostic factors. The pre-HDR PSA ≤ 0.1 subgroup had significantly improved bRFS. Further studies are needed to confirm the relevance of pre-HDR PSA in trimodality therapy.

No abstract