Interest of a sterilised anti-burning get in radiation dermatitis: results of a comparative study

Trial objectives were to assess effectiveness and tolerance of sterilized Avene thermal spring water anti burning get (ATSW gel) in prevention of radiation dermatitis in adults irradiated (6 weeks) for breast (n=61) or head and neck (n=8) cancer. Patients included in this open [abetted, 2 parallel groups,, multicentric study, were randomly assigned to apply five times daily for ten weeks either the Avene spring water get (n=35) or trolamine cream (n=34). The median of emergence of the first objective radiation dermatitis signs was 31 days in the ATSW get group and 21) days in the control group (p=0,924). The median incidence for pruritus in patients of the ETA get group was 46 days versus 27 days (p=0,028) and 44 days versus 24 days for pain (p=0,426). Global efficacy was very good in 46,7 % of patients of the ETA get group versus 17,2 % (p=0,029) and tolerance was very good in 65,5 % of the ETA get group versus 40,7 % (p=0, 107). No radionecrosis was observed. In conclusion, the efficacy of the Avene spring water get was similar to the control product in prophylaxis of radiation dermatitis. Tolerance was better and the pruritus was significantty more delayed in patients who applied the Avene spring water get than in controls. (c) 2008 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.