Bernier J, Bonner J, Vermorken JB, Bensadoun RJ, Dummer R, Giralt J, Kornek G, Hartley A, Mesia R, Robert C, Segaert S, Ang KK, et al.
Annals of oncology : official journal of the European Society for Medical Oncology. Date of publication 2008 Jan 1;volume 19(1):142-9.
1. Ann Oncol. 2008 Jan;19(1):142-9. Epub 2007 Sep 4.
Consensus guidelines for the management of radiation dermatitis and coexisting
acne-like rash in patients receiving radiotherapy plus EGFR inhibitors for the
treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.
Bernier J(1), Bonner J, Vermorken JB, Bensadoun RJ, Dummer R, Giralt J, Kornek G,
Hartley A, Mesia R, Robert C, Segaert S, Ang KK.
Author information:
(1)Department of Radiation Oncology, Genolier Swiss Medical Network, Genolier,
Geneva, Switzerland. jacques.bernier@hcuge.ch
BACKGROUND: Radiation dermatitis occurs to some degree in most patients receiving
radiotherapy, with or without chemotherapy. Patients with squamous cell carcinoma
of the head and neck (SCCHN) who receive radiotherapy in combination with
epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors, such as cetuximab, may
develop a characteristic acne-like rash in addition to dermatitis.
DESIGN: An advisory board of 11 experienced radiation oncologists, medical
oncologists and dermatologists discussed the management options for skin
reactions in patients receiving EGFR inhibitors and radiotherapy for SCCHN. Skin
toxicity was categorised according to the National Cancer Institute-Common
Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (version 3) grading.
RESULTS: Both general and grade-specific approaches for the management of
dermatitis in this patient group are presented. It was concluded that where EGFR
inhibitor-related acne-like rash and dermatitis coexist within irradiated fields,
management should be based on the grade of dermatitis: for grade 1 (or no
dermatitis), treatment recommendations for EGFR-related acne-like rash outside
irradiated fields should be followed; for grades 2 and above, treatment
recommendations for dermatitis were proposed.
CONCLUSIONS: This paper presents comprehensive consensus guidelines for the
treatment of dermatitis in patients with SCCHN receiving EGFR inhibitors in
combination with radiotherapy.
DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdm400
PMID: 17785763 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
