Polarized Light Therapy for Radiation Dermatitis in Breast Cancer

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Polarized Polychromatic Light Therapy: Polarized polychromatic non-coherent light therapy will be administered using the Bioptron Light Therapy System. The device emits light with a wavelength spectrum ranging from 480-3400 nm, polarization \>95%, and irradiance approximately 40 mW/cm². Treatment will be applied perpendicular to the irradiated breast skin surface from a distance of approximately 10 cm for 6-10 minutes per treatment field, corresponding to an estimated fluence of approximately 2.4 J/cm² per minute. Sessions will be administered three times weekly on alternating days beginning from the first radiotherapy session and continuing throughout the radiotherapy course. The entire irradiated breast field will be treated.

Standard Skin Care: Routine institutional radiation skin care protocol including conventional skin care initiated from the first day of radiotherapy, with application of hydroactive colloid gel for three days as needed. An absorbent foam self-adhesive silicone dressing will be used in cases of painful skin reactions or moist desquamation. Participants will also receive standardized skin care instructions including gentle washing with mild soap or water only, patting the skin dry with a soft absorbent towel rather than rubbing, maintenance of skin hydration, and avoidance of friction, tight clothing, perfumes, and other potential skin irritants throughout the radiotherapy course.

Study summary

This assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the efficacy of polarized polychromatic non-coherent light therapy as an adjunct to standard skin care in reducing acute radiation dermatitis in women with breast cancer undergoing hypofractionated whole-breast radiotherapy. Participants will be randomly allocated to receive either standard skin care alone or standard care combined with polarized light therapy initiated from the first radiotherapy session. Outcomes will include objective ultrasound-based dermal thickness measurements, clinical severity of radiation dermatitis using Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) criteria.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Ultrasound Skin Thickness — Baseline, Week 2, Week 4, Week 6, Week 8, and 2-month follow-up.
  Objective assessment of radiation-induced skin structural changes using high-frequency musculoskeletal ultrasound imaging of the irradiated breast region. Dermal thickness measurements (mm) will be performed by the same radiologist for both groups throughout the study. A standardized layer of ultrasound gel approximately 1 mm thick will be used as a coupling medium to optimize image acquisition. Measurements will be obtained from the most clinically affected area within the irradiated breast field. To improve accuracy and reliability, the average of three consecutive measurements will be recorded for analysis. Special care will be taken to avoid compression artifacts by gently applying the ultrasound probe to the skin surface with minimal pressure.

Trial sites (1)

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