Case Report - Effects of Specialized Supplementation in the Healing Process for the Prevention/Treatment of Radiodermatitis

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide. This case report aimed to evaluate the effect of specialized oral nutritional supplements (ONS) in the prevention and treatment of radiodermatitis in patients undergoing radiotherapy (RT) for breast cancer. Methods: Case report of three patients during radiotherapy treatment, one using specialized supplementation with a preventive objective and another to treat radiodermatitis, the third patient did not use any supplement, being the control. Results: Patients who used ONS showed beneficial results regarding the appearance of radiodermatitis and evolution of its degree when compared to the control patient. Patient 1 had radiodermatitis only at the end of RT with grade I toxicity. Patient 2 had radiodermatitis in the middle of treatment, where ONS started, with grade I toxicity and the lesion did not progress until the end of treatment. On the other hand, patient 3 had grade I radiodermatitis in the 10th session, evolving to grade II in the 23rd session. Conclusions: It was concluded that the use of specialized ONS helps in the healing process of radiodermatitis in patients undergoing RT in the breast region, in addition to maintaining/improving body composition.