CUTANEOUS EVALUATION OF NURSING IN PATIENTS WITH BREAST NEOPLASIA SUBMITTED TO HYPOFRACTED RADIOTHERAPY: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Introduction: In Brazil, the estimate for the 2018-2019 biennium points to the occurrence of 59,700 new cases of breast cancer each year. Among the therapeutic resources used to treat the disease, external radiotherapy is the modality that uses high technology through beams of ionizing radiation produced by linear accelerator, in order to prevent multiplication, in addition to causing cell death. This exposure to ionizing radiation leads to the destruction of basal cells of the epidermis, resulting in lesions classified as radiodermites. Control of toxicities is still controversial because there is no consensus among studies. Given this, there is a need for validation of effectiveness in the literature. Goal To compare the efficacy of moisturizing creams for radiodermatitis prevention and treatment in patients with breast cancer undergoing volumetric arc modulated hypofractional radiotherapy (RapidArc) on a Linear Accelerator IX. Method: Field research with in loco analysis where the breast skin of two patients submitted to hypofractionated radiotherapy was observed in a clinic in Campos / RJ. The patients‘ participation was based on the informed consent form signed by them. As a prophylactic indication of radiodermatitis, each patient used a type of moisturizing cream, one based on andiroba, and the other using aloe vera nanotechnology gel. To analyze the result, a nursing consultation based on the RTOG protocol was performed. Results: It was observed that both patients had grade I radiodermatitis in the treated region. However, the patient who used the andiroba-based moisturizer developed hyperemia and approximately 0.5cm lesion with dry peeling near the surgical scar. The patient who used the aloe vera nanotechnology gel showed only hyperemia, maintaining skin integrity and hydration. Conclusion: The two products evaluated had their efficacy proven in minimizing radiodermatitis in patients treated by hypofractionated radiotherapy. However, aloe vera-based nanotechnology gel demonstrated slight therapeutic gain over andirobabased moisturizer. Given that radiodermatitis is an inherent toxicity to therapy, a more detailed approach to skin care is required, as well as the use of moisturizers to minimize such effects.