Radiation Therapy

Introduction

Radiation therapy is commonly used to treat many forms of cancer. Radiation dermatitis can range from a mild burning, similar to a sunburn to severe wet desquamation.This can lead to treatment interruptions, decreased quality of life and skin infections.Typically, radiation damage appears 10-14 days after beginning therapy. A compound effect, it continues to increase in severity until about 10 days after the completion of therapy. 92-96% of all women status post lumpectomy for breast cancer will experience some form of skin reaction. Fewer than 10% will experience moist desquamation. Those with other forms of cancer have about a 40% incidence of skin reaction. Radiation Therapy (RT) is targeted at the cellular and nuclear membranes and the DNA molecules inside the cancer cells, rendering them unable to divide and proliferate. RT creates free radicals in deep tissue, specifically at those cancer cells. Collateral damage is sometimes seen on the outermost layers of the skin, the epidermis, presenting as dermatitis and other skin maladies. The first visual sign of this damage is darkening of the epidermis, as the melanocytes are found in the dermal–epidermal junction and can be damaged with radiation. People who have received chemotherapy along with radiation therapy are more susceptible to a skin reaction. Of note, the higher the dose of radiation therapy, the greater the risk of a skin reaction.

Methodology

Patients undergoing radiation therapy volunteered to participate in a topical skin care study.The objective of the study was to improve skin condition. Patients used nourishing, Olivamine containing skin care products; cleansing lotion, antimicrobial cleanser, treatment cream and a silicone-based barrier.There were 18 patients that participated, 17 females with breast cancer and subsequent radiation therapy and 1 gentleman who underwent RT for lung cancer.

Olivamine is a proprietary blend of amino acids, antioxidants and vitamin co-factors (B3 and B6) that play a vital role in basic cellular construction and protection. The three most abundant amino acids in collagen, glycine, L-proline and L-cysteine have been combined with the most potent antioxidants, L-taurine and hydroxytyrosol, and with methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) that may slow the conduction of pain fibers.

To create Olivamine, each individual element has been carefully blended and then "actuated" with a patented photo acoustic resonance laser to make them "bioavailable". This patented laser treatment alters the molecular structure rendering the amino acids more bioavailable.

Olivamine has been placed into a unique delivery system. The peptide is supported by omega 3 and 6 essential fatty acids, vitamins A and D3 and a sophisticated silicone system that supports the delivery system while protecting the skin from excessive transepidermal water loss (e-TEWL).

This new line of products also uses natural oils, organic aloe vera and citrus vanilla oils to provide a pleasant fragrance. Even though it is long thought that a fragrance should be contraindicated in skin care products, especially with the oncology population, this natural, mild blend is at 0.01% and was welcomed in this study group of oncology patients.