***TASK*** the task is to summarize an input biomedical literature in six sentences 
    ***INPUT*** the input is a biomedical literature 
    ***OUTPUT*** the output is the summary of an input biomedical literature in six sentences 
    ***DOCUMENTATION*** 
    ***EXAMPLES*** 
    Input: The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor ( GM-CSF ) impregnated gauze in preventing or healing radiation-induced dermatitis . Sixty-one patients were irradiated for vulvar carcinoma . Thirty-seven applied steroid cream at irradiated areas throughout radiotherapy ( Group A ) and 24 patients applied additionally GM-CSF impregnated gauze ( 40 micrcog/cm2 of skin-irradiated area , twice per day ) in addition to the steroid cream , after 20 Gy of irradiation ( Group B ) . The score of skin reactions ( P=0.008 , chi2 test ) and the time interval of radiotherapy interruption ( P=0.037 , Mann-Whitney U test ) were statistically significantly reduced in Group B patients . Multivariate analysis of variance showed for this group not only a significant reduction in the Sum of Gross Dermatitis Scoring ( P<0.001 , adjusted for Duration of Dermatitis ) but also a significant reduction of the healing time ( P=0.02 , adjusted for Sum of Gross Dermatitis Scoring ) . The pain grading was less ( P=0.014 , chi2 test ) and pain reduction was noticed sooner after the application of GM-CSF impregnated gauze ( P=0.0017 , Mann-Whitney U test ) . Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the only significant effect on dermatitis score is due to Body Mass Index ( P=0.034 ) and the application of GM-CSF ( P=0.008 ) . GM-CSF impregnated gauze can be effective in preventing and healing radiation-induced dermatitis and in reducing the interruption intervals of radiotherapy for vulvar carcinomas PURPOSE The effectiveness of nonsteroid topical agents for the prevention of acute dermatitis during adjuvant radiotherapy for breast carcinoma has not been demonstrated . The goal of this study was to compare the effectiveness of  calendula  ( Pommade au Calendula par Digestion ; Boiron Ltd , Levallois-Perret , France ) with that of trolamine ( Biafine ; Genmedix Ltd , France ) , which is considered in many institutions to be the reference topical agent . PATIENTS AND METHODS Between July 1999 and June 2001 , 254 patients who had been operated on for breast cancer and who were to receive postoperative radiation therapy  were r and omly allocated to application of either trolamine ( 128 patients ) or calendula ( 126 patients ) on the irradiated fields after each session . The primary end point was the occurrence of acute dermatitis of grade 2 or higher . Prognostic factors , including treatment modalities and patient characteristics , were also investigated . Secondary end points were the occurrence of pain , the quantity of topical agent used , and patient satisfaction . RESULTS The occurrence of acute dermatitis of grade 2 or higher was significantly lower ( 41 % v 63 % ; P < .001 ) with the use of calendula than with trolamine . Moreover , patients receiving calendula had less frequent interruption of radiotherapy and significantly reduced radiation-induced pain .  Calendula was considered to be more difficult to apply , but self-assessed satisfaction was greater . Body mass index and adjuvant chemotherapy before radiotherapy after lumpectomy were significant prognostic factors for acute dermatitis . CONCLUSION Calendula is highly effective for the prevention of acute dermatitis of grade 2 or higher and should be proposed for patients undergoing postoperative irradiation for breast cancer Trial objectives were to assess effectiveness and tolerance of sterilized Avène thermal spring water anti burning gel ( ATSW gel ) in prevention of  radiation dermatitis in adults irradiated ( 6 weeks ) for breast ( n=61 ) or head and neck ( n=8 ) cancer . Patients included in this open labelled , 2 parallel groups , multicentric study , were r and omly assigned to apply five times daily for ten weeks either the Avène spring water gel ( n=35 ) or trolamine cream ( n=34 ) . The median of emergence of the first objective radiation dermatitis signs was 31 days in the ATSW gel group and 29 days in the control group ( p=0,924 ) . The median incidence for pruritus in patients of the ETA gel group was 46 days versus 27 days ( p=0,028 ) and 44 days versus 24 days for pain ( p=0,426 ) . Global efficacy was < < very good > > in 46,7 % of patients of the ETA gel group versus 17,2 % ( p=0,029 ) and tolerance was < < very good > > in 65,5 % of the ETA gel group versus 40,7 % ( p=0,107 ) . No radionecrosis was observed . In conclusion , the efficacy of the Avène spring water gel was similar to the control product in prophylaxis of radiation dermatitis . Tolerance was better and the pruritus was significantly more delayed in patients who applied the Avène spring water gel than in controls ABSTRACT This study was design ed to assess the efficacy and tolerability of MAS065D ( Xclair ™ ) compared to a vehicle control in the management of  radiation dermatitis in patients receiving radiotherapy for breast cancer . Twenty patients were r and omized blindly to use the two study substances , three times daily , on separate sections of irradiated skin throughout the duration of radiotherapy and for two weeks afterwards . Patients were monitored before therapy , weekly during therapy , and for 2 weeks after radiotherapy was completed . Skin appearance according to National Cancer Institute ( NCI ) toxicity criteria , erythema rating , transepidermal water loss ( TEWL ) , skin hydration , patients ' view of itch , pain , acceptance , and view of each cream and adverse events , were monitored ; at the final visit patients and investigators expressed their preference for one of the creams . MAS065D showed statistically significant superiority in the outcomes of NCI grading for radiation dermatitis and erythema . Patients ' and investigators ' preferences for one of the study substances were statistically in favor of MAS065D . Very few patients recorded nonzero itch and pain scales , so no significant differences emerged between the two groups . It was concluded that MAS065D can provide an effective option for managing radiation dermatitis although further studies are needed to assess its effect on pain and itch Purpose : The use of additional therapy with an oral enzyme preparation containing trypsin , chymotrypsin and papain has been suggested for the reduction of toxicity due to radiation therapy . This study was conducted to test the efficacy and tolerability of this enzyme combination in preventing or reducing the acute side effects of radiation therapy in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer . Methods : A prospect i ve , r and omised , open , clinical trial was carried out on 120 patients ( aged 24–85 years ) with locally advanced , biopsy-proven carcinomas of the uterine cervix ( stages IIa , IIb or IIIb ) . Patients received 50 Gy of external radiation therapy over a period of 5 weeks , followed by intra-cavitary brachytherapy ( 20–30 Gy ) . Patients assigned to the test group ( 60 patients ) received additional treatment with enzymes . Patients were evaluated at weekly intervals for acute radiation therapy-related side effects , according to the RTOG/EORTC grading criteria , and then after the end of radiation therapy for another 8 weeks . Occurrence of adverse events , if any , was also recorded . Results : The study revealed that the maximum extent of acute radiation side effects was reduced in the enzyme group : skin reactions ( mean : 0.97 vs 1.68 in the control group , P < 0.001 ) , vaginal mucosal reactions ( 0.55 vs 0.85 , P=0.10 ) , genitourinary symptoms ( 0.93 vs 1.38 , P < 0.001 ) and gastrointestinal reactions ( 1.12 vs 1.30 , P=0.12 ) . The sum-scores during treatment , expressed as area under the curve , were significantly less in the enzyme treated patients . In the follow-up visits all observed side effects of radiation therapy were of lower intensity in the enzyme group than in the control group . Conclusions : In patients with locally advanced cancer of the uterine cervix , oral enzyme therapy was found to be effective in significantly reducing radiation therapy-related side effects such as genitourinary symptoms , subcutaneous changes and reactions of the vaginal mucosa PURPOSE Silver-leaf nylon dressing ( SLND ) has been shown to have effective antimicrobial activity and to enhance healing in burns and skin grafts . The purpose of this study was to evaluate the value of SLND in preventing radiation dermatitis in patients undergoing radiotherapy to target volumes that included the perineum and concurrent chemotherapy . METHODS AND MATERIAL S Fifteen consecutive patients with either anal canal or gynecologic cancer were offered the SLND as a preventive intervention . The evaluation was based on st and ardized photographs taken at the end of treatment . A historical control group of 15 patients with the same neoplasms who received st and ard skin care  was assessed in the same fashion . Ten observers unaware of the treatment intervention were enrolled in the evaluation of the skin changes . The Mann-Whitney U test was used to assess the statistical significance of the differences in the dermatitis scores between the two patient groups . RESULTS The mean dermatitis score for controls was 2.62 ( st and ard deviation , 0.48 ) . The mean score for the SLND group was significantly lower at 1.16 ( st and ard deviation , 0.40 ; p < 0.0001 ) . CONCLUSION The results of this study suggest that SLND is effective in reducing radiation dermatitis , apparently because of its antibacterial properties The aim of the study was to compare the effect of a gentian violet topical application with that of a moist dressing ( hydrocolloid ) on the rate and efficacy of  radiotherapy-induced  moist desquamation wound healing and the patients ' satisfaction level with each method . This prospect i ve r and omized clinical trial used a stratified sampling design . A sample of 39 patients with 60 wounds had their wounds assessed on alternate days in terms of several wound-healing parameters including wound size , wound pain , incidence of infection , and time required for healing . Patient satisfaction with each treatment was evaluated at the completion of the study . Gentian violet significantly decreased wound size and reduced wound pain . However , this treatment received significantly lower ratings for dressing comfort and dressing aesthetic acceptance . Nevertheless , the time required for healing was not statistically different in the two groups . These findings suggest that the lower score of dressing satisfaction level in the gentian violet group may result from the skin discoloration and drying effects of the treatment , which renders patients unable to move or stretch their skin . Although the aim is to have complete wound healing , this may not be realistic for many lesions such as radiotherapy-induced moist desquamation wounds . The best evidence on which to make decisions about individual care can now be based on patients ' own perception of quality BACKGROUND AND AIMS Radiation induced wet desquamation of skin in carcinoma breast patients is a painful condition . In this study topical beclomethasone dipropionate spray was used as prophylaxis with the purpose of reducing risk of the wet desquamation of skin in irradiated field . MATERIAL S AND METHODS Sixty patients of carcinoma breast were planned for postoperative loco regional radiotherapy ( 50 Gy in 25 fraction over five weeks ) were prospect ively r and omized into two groups ( 1 )  steroid group- patients were advised to use beclomethasone dipropionate spray in irradiated axilla from day one of radiotherapy , ( 2 ) control  group- patients were not allowed to use any topical agent in irradiated area . Radiation induced skin reaction was noted in terms of erythema , dry desquamation and wet desquamation weekly till end of prescribed 50 Gy dose of the radiation therapy . STATISTICAL METHOD Chi-square test was used to see the statistical significance of the difference in wet desquamation between two arms of the study . Chi-square value and P-value was calculated for the difference of wet desquamation in two study arms . RESULT In steroid group 4/30 ( 13.33 % ) patients developed wet desquamation of the axillary skin at the end of the radiotherapy . For the control group , this figure was 11/30 ( 36.66 % ) . The difference in wet desquamation of the axillary skin in the two groups was statistically significant ( P-value = 0.0369 ) . CONCLUSION Topical steroid ( beclomethasone dipropionate spray ) for skin during radiotherapy significantly reduces the risk of wet desquamation of the skin To study the impact of amifostine as a cytoprotective agent against  acute radiation dermatitis  , we review ed 220 patient records . One hundred cancer patients , with tumors localised in the pelvis ( bladder , rectum , prostatic carcinomas , or gynecological cancer ) , who received radiotherapy and cytoprotective treatment with intravenous infusion of amifostine ( group A ) were included in this study . Retrospectively , we r and omly selected from a data base in our hospital 120 historical controls , who received only radiotherapy without cytoprotection ( group B ) .  Mean gross dermatitis score ( MGDS ) was the mean value of recorded acute radiation dermatitis according to common toxicity criteria . In group A versus B patients , a significantly reduced severity of dermatitis ( P < 0.001 , Fisher 's exact test ) and significant reduction of MGDS as well as mean interruption treatment time ( P < 0.001 , 
    Output:
    
Topical corticosteroid agents were found to significantly reduce the severity of skin reactions ; however , the trials of corticosteroids evaluated various agents , and no clear indication about a preferred corticosteroid has emerged .
Biafine cream ( Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceuticals , Titusville , NJ , U.S.A. ) was found not to be superior to st and ard regimes in the prevention of radiation-induced skin reactions ( n = 6).In conclusion , the evidence is insufficient to support the use of a particular agent for the prevention and management of acute radiation-induced skin reactions .