Global trends and hotspots of treatment for radiodermatitis: A bibliometric and visualization analysis (2014–2024)

Abstract

Radiation dermatitis (RD) is a common skin toxicity of radiotherapy, affecting many patients undergoing radiation therapy. Given its impact on patient quality of life and treatment outcomes, this study utilizes advanced bibliometric tools to comprehensively analyze the research landscape related to radiation dermatitis treatment. The analysis covers various aspects, including publication trends, institutional contributions, journal coverage, and author involvement, offering a holistic view of research dynamics in this field. The study examines the evolution of treatment research across different phases of radiation dermatitis treatment by analyzing keyword co-occurrence frequencies and timeline developments. It identifies research clusters in three areas: fundamental clinical research on RD incidence, symptoms, staging, and risk factors; exploration of pathological mechanisms, including molecular and cellular bases of RD; and personalized care for healing analysis, risk identification, treatment comparison to improve prognosis and quality of life. Furthermore, the study explores the intersection of radiation dermatitis research with emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and wearable devices, stem cell and exosome therapy, nanomaterials, and hydrogels. This integration presents unprecedented opportunities to advance radiation dermatitis care through AI-driven wound assessment, controlled exosome release via hydrogels, real-time monitoring by wearable devices, personalized treatment plans, and predictive analytics. In summary, this bibliometric study provides a comprehensive global overview of research trends, key literature, hotspots, and emerging frontiers in treatment for radiation dermatitis. Future research should continue to explore these interdisciplinary connections to develop more effective and patient-centered approaches for managing radiation dermatitis.