INDIVIDUAL ARTICLE: NECOM 3: A Practical Algorithm for the Management of Radiation Therapy-Related Acute Radiation Dermatitis

November 2023 | Volume 22 | Issue 11 | SF400354s3 | Copyright © November 2023


Published online October 11, 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 



Limitations
Prospective clinical trials that evaluate the efficacy of a practical algorithm for ARD are currently unavailable. Furthermore, the evidence base lacks supporting recommendations for preventing and treating ARD. 

CONCLUSION

Frequently, cancer patients receiving RT suffer from ARD leading to pruritus and pain, decreased QoL and morbidity, and treatment interruptions. Patient education on the prevention of ARD and treatment recommendations given in the NECOM 3 algorithm may help prevent and manage ARD and improve the overall care of cancer patients receiving RT.

DISCLOSURES

An unrestricted educational grant from La Roche-Posay Nordic European Countries supported this work. All authors contributed, reviewed the manuscript, and agreed with its content and publication.

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AUTHOR CORRESPONDENCE

Anneke E. Andriessen PhD anneke.a@tiscali.nl