Adjuvant radiotherapy for breast cancer is standard in the setting of breast conserving therapy. The most common acute toxicity in those receiving breast radiotherapy is acute radiation dermatitis (ARD). This is not only disfiguring, but also painful and uncomfortable. No standard exists for the mitigation or treatment of ARD. Routinely, emollients and steroid based creams, including but not limited to, xeroform gauze, demeboro soaks, triple antibiotic cream, Silvadene, hydrocortisone, and mometasone creams are used. Steroid creams have been shown to change the skin microenvironment and also thin the skin - this is especially concerning as one of the primary goals of BCT is good to excellent cosmetic outcome. Mepitel dressings have been evaluated but are often cumbersome to use and difficult to apply accurately. Silver-plated technology (SPT) dressing, a novel skin dressing, has been shown to have anti-microbial effects thereby reducing the development of ARD. This prospective single arm phase II study will evaluate if SPT dressing reduces the incidence of grade 2 or higher ARD in breast cancer patients who are going to receive adjuvant radiotherapy.
