Characterization of skin reactions and pain reported by patients receiving radiation therapy for cancer at different sites

Abstract

Background: Skin reactions and pain are commonly reported side effects of radiation therapy (RT). Objective: To characterize RT-induced symptoms according to treatment site subgroups and identify skin symptoms that correlate with pain. Methods: A self-report survey-adapted from the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory and the McGill Pain Questionnaire-assessed RT-induced skin problems, pain, and specific skin symptoms. Wilcoxon Sign Ranked tests compared mean severity of pre- and post-RT pain and skin problems within each RT-site subgroup. Multiple linear regression (MLR) investigated associations between skin symptoms and pain. Results: Survey respondents (N = 106) were 58% female and on average 64 years old. RT sites included lung, breast, lower abdomen, head/neck/brain, and upper abdomen. Only patients receiving breast RT reported significant increases in treatment site pain and skin problems (P ≤ .007). Patients receiving head/neck/brain RT reported increased skin problems (P