The presence of cutaneous radiation-induced reactions in patients undergoing radiation therapy

Introduction: Radiotherapy, with the exception of surgery, remains one of the most effective treatments for cancer. It is estimated that more than half of the oncological patients will undergo radiotherapy at various stages of treatment [1]. Despite the development of technology and radiobiology, radiation remains a major problem, which affects patients’ quality of life and often leads to discontinuation of treatment. Effective radiotherapy for the proper treatment of cancer is inevitably associated with the accepted risk of side effects.

Aim of the study: The aim of the study was an attempt to establish the repeatability of skin radicular reactions in patients undergoing radiotherapy.

Material and methods: The study included 23 nursing staff who evaluated 22 patients undergoing radiotherapy who experienced lesions in the irradiated area. A total of 216 evaluations were made, which allowed for 72 samples to be analyzed.

Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) is used to measure the severity of radiation skin reactions as used in accordance with the standard for the observation and care of radiation changes in daily clinical practice in patients undergoing radiotherapy. For comparison, the modified RISRAS (Radiation-Induced Skin Rection Assay Scale) scale was used.

Results: Studies have demonstrated reproducibility of skin reactions with RTOG and RISARS.

Conclusions: There is a reproducibility of the evaluation of the skin reaction of the radiation by the same nurse. The use of the RTOG scale gives more repeatability than RISRAS.

Reproducibility of skin lesions is comparable to subjective subjective assessment. Only those with less general work experience have greater repeatability of RISRAS scale observations. Nurse education does not correlate with repetition of grades.

There is a need for further research into the reproducibility of skin radicular reactions in patients undergoing radiotherapy.