SynthesisBreast (Edinburgh, Scotland)2023
Barrier films for the prevention of acute radiation dermatitis in breast cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.
Synthesis in Breast (Edinburgh, Scotland), 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 14 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
14 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 23 citations in OpenAlex.
- Efficacy and safety of Mepitel film for radiodermatitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.BMC cancer · 2025Pooled it
- Mepitel Film for the prevention of acute radiation dermatitis in head and neck cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2023Pooled it
- Evidence-based supportive care for patients undergoing radiotherapy: Recommendations from the updated German national S3 guideline for oncological patients.Strahlentherapie und Onkologie : Organ der Deutschen Rontgengesellschaft ... [et al] · 2026Article
- Alginate and Chitosan-Based Hydrogels for the Treatment of Radiation Dermatitis.International wound journal · 2026Review
- Chronic Radiation Dermatitis After Breast Cancer Radiotherapy: Mechanistic Insights, Therapeutic Challenges, and Emerging Roles of Piezo1-Mediated Mechanotransduction.Journal of inflammation research · 2026Review
- Article
- Development and validation of an interpretable machine learning model for acute radiation dermatitis in breast cancer.Frontiers in oncology · 2025Article
- Therapeutic Potential of Hydrogen as a Radioprotective Agent for the Prevention of Radiation Dermatitis.Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) · 2024Article
- A perspective on inequities in the management of radiation dermatitis.Asia-Pacific journal of oncology nursing · 2024Article
- Evidence-based summary of the prevention and management of radiation dermatitis in patients with breast cancer.Asia-Pacific journal of oncology nursing · 2024Review
- Mepitel film for the prevention of radiation dermatitis: A comprehensive review of its efficacy, side effects, physics measurements, patient- and clinician-reported outcomes.Asia-Pacific journal of oncology nursing · 2024Review
- Non-invasive physical plasma for preventing radiation dermatitis in breast cancer: Results from an intrapatient-randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial.Clinical and translational radiation oncology · 2024Article
- Perceptions of healthcare professionals on the use of Mepitel Film for the prevention of acute radiation dermatitis in breast cancer.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2023Article
- Do Barrier Films Impact Long-Term Skin Toxicity following Whole-Breast Irradiation? Objective Follow-Up of Two Randomised Trials.Journal of clinical medicine · 2023Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
14 authors at 2 institutions in 3 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
purposeRadiation dermatitis (RD) is the most common side effect of adjuvant whole-breast or chest wall irradiation, majorly impacting quality of life in numerous patients. The use of barrier films (polyurethane dressings such as Hydrofilm® and Mepitel® film remaining on the skin for the duration of the radiation treatment) has been investigated as a prophylactic measure in several prospective trials. Here, we critically appraise the available evidence behind preventive barrier film application in the context of breast cancer treatment.
methodsInternational literature was reviewed and high-quality randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were included in this meta-analysis.
resultsThe results of 5 RCTs (663 patients; >90% Caucasian) were analysed. Overall, barrier films lead to improved clinician- and patient-reported outcomes: fewer grade ≥2 RD (11% vs. 42%; OR = 0.16; p < 0.001) and moist desquamation (2% vs. 16%; OR = 0.12; p = 0.006), as well as less patient-reported pain (standardised mean difference [SMD] -0.51; p < 0.001), itching (SMD -0.52; p = 0.001), burning (SMD -0.41; p = 0.011), and limitations in daily activities (SMD -0.20; p = 0.007). Furthermore, barrier films have a high acceptance rate among patients, as well as a favourable cost-benefit ratio. Possible side effects due to its application are mild and mostly self-limiting. Overall, there was a lack of information on the radiation treatment techniques used.
conclusionThe evidence presented in this meta-analysis suggests that barrier films are an excellent tool in the prevention of RD among Caucasian patients receiving whole-breast or chest wall irradiation. Its use should therefore be considered routinely in these patients.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.