Long-Term (Chronic, Late) Radiation Reactions of the Skin

Late adverse effects after soft X‐ray therapy of cutaneous malignancies: pruritus, burning, epiphora and insufficient occlusion of the mouth

“…The symptoms reported in this paper can only be assessed by interviews of the patients. In comparison with cosmetic changes that are diagnosed by medical examinations, 1–12 the results presented in this study may be less reliable.…”

“…Radiotherapy is an important alternative to surgery of skin neoplasias, especially for older patients with impaired general health. Cosmetic late adverse effects of radiotherapy for skin neoplasias have been extensively studied 1–11 . The term ‘late’ in this context means later than 90 days after therapy 11 .…”

“…Cosmetic late adverse effects of radiotherapy for skin neoplasias have been extensively studied 1–11 . The term ‘late’ in this context means later than 90 days after therapy 11 . However, late adverse effects that are assessed by interviewing the patient have not frequently been evaluated: pruritus and burning in the irradiated field, 12 epiphora (watery eyes) following radiotherapy around the eye, 13–18 and insufficient occlusion of the mouth (fluid running out of the mouth when eating or drinking) after irradiation of lip carcinomas 19–22 .…”