Lokkevik, E., Skovlund, E., Reitan, J.B., Hannisdal, E., & Tanum, G. (1996). Skin treatment with Bepanthen cream versus no cream during radiotherapy. Acta Oncologica, 35, 1021–1026.
To compare Bepanthen cream with no topical ointment
Patients used Bepanthen on one side of the treatment field and used no topical treatment on the other side. Patients were instructed to not inform the physician of which region or field received the application of the cream, and they randomized their own application. Bepanthen twice a day began on day 1 of radiation therapy. Skin assessments were performed weekly during treatment and two weeks following treatment.
The study used a quasi-experimental blinded trial design.
For both cancers, all skin reactions were more severe at completion of six weeks of radiation treatments, which was chosen as a reference point to standardize assessment data. No significant difference was observed in erythema, most desquamation, itch, or pain. No significant effect of any of the variables was found in regression analysis regarding erythema and desquamation.
Bepanthen did not provide any significant benefit.
Tissue toxicity is associated with 60-cobalt.