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Research: POMMIER and co-workers,
Listed in Issue 113
Abstract
POMMIER and co-workers, Department of Radiation Oncology, Centre Leon Berard, 28 rue Laennec, 69373 Lyon Cedex 08, France, have tested Calendula for the prevention of dermatitis during irradiation for breast cancer.
Background
The effectiveness of non-steroid topical agents in the prevention of acute dermatitis during radiotherapy for breast cancer has not been demonstrated. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of Calendula with that of trolamine , the reference topical agent.
Methodology
254 patients who were receiving radiotherapy for breast cancer were randomly allocated to be treated with either Calendula officinalis (126 patients) or trolamine (128 patients) on the irradiated field after each session. The occurrence of acute dermatitis of grade 2 or higher was measured, as well as pain, the quantity of topical agent used, and patient satisfaction.
Results
The occurrence of acute dermatitis was significantly lower (41% vs 63%; p < 0.001) 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.
Conclusion
Calendula is highly effective for the prevention of acute dermatitis during radiotherapy and should routinely be made available to patients.
References
Pommier P, Gomez F, Sunyach MP. D'Hombres A. Carrie C. Montbarbon X. Phase III randomized trial of Calendula officinalis compared with trolamine for the prevention of acute dermatitis during irradiation for breast cancer. Journal of Clinical Oncology 22 (8): 1447-1453, Apr 15, 2004.
