Maiche, A., Isokangas, O.P., & Gröhn, P. (1994). Skin protection by sucralfate cream during electron beam therapy. Acta Oncologica, 33, 201–203.
To compare the efficacy of sucralfate cream to a control base cream in women receiving postoperative electron beam therapy to their chest wall
Patients were randomized to apply sucralfate containing 7% micronized sucrose sulfate or equivalent base cream on either side of the scar.
N = 44
AGE RANGE = 33–84 years
MEAN AGE = 60 years
FEMALES: 100%
KEY DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Breast cancer of the chest wall
OTHER KEY SAMPLE CHARACTERISTICS: 6 MeV electron beam total dose 50 Gy—10 Gy weekly in five fractions. Surface area varied from 11 cm × 11cm–20 cm × 20 cm. The scar was situated horizontally in the middle of the portal image.
Grade 1 and 2 reactions appeared later on the areas treated with sucralfate cream. Grade 2 reactions in the entire sample were observed more often at four weeks (p = 0.01) and at five weeks (p > 0.01 but < 0.05). Recovery time of radiation-induced reactions was faster and, after finishing radiation therapy, the grade of skin reaction remained lower with the sucralfate cream than the base cream (p = 0.05).
Sucralfate may be of benefit in reducing severity of radiation dermatitis.