CHSU Discovery

Abstract:  

Introduction and Background: Radiation dermatitis (RD) is one of the most common side effects of radiotherapy for cancer, affecting over 90 percent of patients receiving radiotherapy. RD presents a formidable challenge not only to cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy but also to healthcare workers and other professionals exposed to radiation in various settings. This condition can result in discomfort, compromised quality of life, and treatment interruptions. Emerging research suggests a promising avenue in bacterial decolonization (BD) as a novel strategy to address radiation-induced skin damage. This review examines the rationale for BD in treating RD and the potential to optimize outcomes in cancer radiotherapy (RT) and beyond.