FULL SUPPLEMENT: Nordic European Cutaneous Oncodermatology Management (NECOM) 3: A Practical Algorithm for Acute Radiation Dermatitis Management for Cancer Patients Receiving Radiation Therapy
November 2023 | Volume 22 | Issue 11 | SF400354s1 | Copyright © November 2023
Published online October 31, 2023
Ada Girnita MD PhDa, Peter Bjerring MD PhD FEADVb, Sampsa Kauppi MDc, Charles W. Lynde MD FRCPCd, Maxwell B. Sauder MD FRCPC DABDe, Anneke Andriessen PhDf
aSkin Cancer Center Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
bDepartment of Dermatology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
cPrivate practice, Terveystalo and Epilaser Oy, Finland
dDepartment of Medicine University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Lynderm Research, Markham, ON, Canada
ePrincess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Medicine University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
fRadboud UMC, Nijmegen and Andriessen Consultants, Malden, The Netherlands
Abstract
Background: In the Nordic European countries in 2020, cancer diagnoses accounted for 175,925 patients. About 50% of cancer patients receive radiation therapy (RT), which may lead to radiation dermatitis (RD). Notably, patients with breast, head, neck, and anal cancers may be prone to developing RD. However, few algorithms exist for the prevention and treatment of RD.
Methods: The Nordic European Cutaneous Oncodermatology Management (NECOM) project aims to improve cancer patient outcomes by offering tools to prevent and treat cancer therapy-related cutaneous adverse events (cAEs). The first 2 NECOM papers presented various cAEs and skincare regimens involving hygiene, moisturization, sun protection, and camouflage products for preventing and managing cAEs. The NECOM 3 practical algorithm for preventing and managing acute RD (ARD) is intended to promote healthy skin and reduce RT-related ARD, improving cancer patient outcomes.
Results: The NECOM advisors discussed the results of a systematic literature review and obtained consensus on the evidence and opinion-based practical algorithm for ARD to support all stakeholders in the Nordic European healthcare setting. The algorithm starts with skin-preserving therapy, followed by skin condition assessment and patient-specific interventions based on the grade of RD present.
Conclusion: ARD may lead to symptoms of pruritus and pain, decreased QoL and morbidity, and treatment interruptions. Patient education on the prevention of RD and treatment recommendations given in the NECOM 3 algorithm may help prevent and manage RD and improve the overall care of patients receiving RT.
J Drugs Dermatol. 2023;22:11(Suppl 2):s3-s10.
In this supplement:
NECOM 3: A Practical Algorithm for the Management of Radiation Therapy-Related Acute Radiation Dermatitis New cancer cases in 2020 in Europe, excluding non-melanoma skin cancer, are estimated at 4 million cases. Breast (530,000 patients), colorectal (520,000), lung (480,000), and prostate (470,000) cancer accounted for almost half of the overall cancer burden in Europe in 2020. The estimated number of cancer deaths in Europe was over 710,000 in males and 560,000 in females.
Read the article here.
