Chronic skin toxicities in breast cancer survivors: a systematic review and meta-analysis of radiotherapy techniques

SF Lee; HCY Wong; J Robijns; SLB Ciocon; PED dos Reis; S Sadeghi; M Al-Khaifi; M Ogita; AW Chan; A Rembielak; D Livesey; M Chong; ZA Liu; M Trombetta; WY Koh; YH Leong; GN Marta; P Bonomo; V Salvestrini; V Vassiliou; P Chopade; P Patel; C Wong; JR Wolf; C van den Hurk; RJ Chan; M Jefford; E Chow; JYY Kwan

Journal article

Chronic skin toxicities in breast cancer survivors: a systematic review and meta-analysis of radiotherapy techniques

SF Lee, HCY Wong, J Robijns, SLB Ciocon, PED dos Reis, S Sadeghi, M Al-Khaifi, M Ogita, AW Chan, A Rembielak, D Livesey, M Chong, ZA Liu, M Trombetta, WY Koh, YH Leong, GN Marta, P Bonomo, V Salvestrini, V Vassiliou Show all

Breast Cancer Research and Treatment | Published : 2025

DOI: 10.1007/s10549-025-07700-y

Abstract

Purpose: This study assessed the impact of radiotherapy (RT) techniques on chronic skin reactions and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in breast cancer patients, comparing conventional RT with modern techniques such as intensity-modulated RT (IMRT). Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted in Embase, MEDLINE, and Cochrane CENTRAL from inception to April 26, 2024. Conventional RT, which uses 2D or 3D imaging to shape radiation beams without dynamic intensity modulation, was compared with alternate RT techniques for adjuvant breast cancer treatment. Primary outcomes included chronic grade ≥ 2 skin toxicities (hyperpigmentation, breast fibrosis, telangiectasia, edema, and atrophy/ret..

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