RADIATION THERAPY INDUCED SKIN ULCER

Course overview

MANAGEMENT OF ACUTE OR CHRONIC SKIN INJURIES DUE TO IONIZING RADIATION IS A COMPLEX CHALLENGE WITH INJURIES RANGING FROM ACUTE REDNESS TO CHRONIC WOUNDS THAT CANNOT BE VISUALIZED. CHRONIC MANIFESTATIONS OF RADIATION INJURIES MAY INCLUDE RADIATION-INDUCED FIBROSIS OF THE SKIN, NONHEALING ULCERS, OSTEORADIONECROSIS, COMPROMISED MUSCLE FLAPS, AND DEHISCENCE OF SURGICAL CLOSURES. THIS ACTIVITY DESCRIBES THE INCIDENCE, PATHOPHYSIOLOGY AND CLINICAL PRESENTATION OF RADIATION-INDUCED SKIN INJURY INCLUDING CANCER AND HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN ITS MANAGEMENT.