Professional Med J 2018;25(6):842-846. www.theprofesional.com DERMATITIS 842 The Professional Medical Journal www.theprofesional.com DERMATITIS; ACUTE VERSUS CHRONIC RADIO DERMATITIS WITH IONIZING RADIATION: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THEIR FREQUENCY OF PRESENTATION. ORIGINAL PROF-4550 Humaira Maryum 1 , Sadaf Ahmed 2 , Humaira Talat 3 , Raja Samir Khan 4 , Mehnaz Gitay 5 , Asim Hameed 6 ABSTRACT… Objectives: To assess the frequency of acute and chronic radio dermatitis in patients treated for various malignancies, via ionizing radiation. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: This multi-center, Outpatient Department of Dermatology Al-Tibri Medical College & Hospital Isra University Karachi campus, Departments of Dermatology and Oncology Dow University Hospital and Civil Hospital Karachi. Period: June 2015 till December 2016. Methods: Patients belonging to both genders and all age groups, fulflling the inclusion criteria were included in the study. Selected patients underwent a detailed history and physical examination. Clinical diagnosis of radiation-induced dermatitis was made and relevant investigations were performed where needed. All fndings were recorded, tabulated and analyzed. Results: The sample consisted of a 150 patients (35.3% male and 64.6% female). Minimum age was 11 years and maximum age was 82 years. Mean age was 46.4 with a SD of 14.5. All patients had received external beam radiation. Radiodermatitis was identifed in 65 patients out of which acute radiodermatitis was encountered in 32.66% (of which 63.26% were male and 36.73% were female) while chronic radiodermatitis was found in 10.66% (of which 18.75% were male and 81.25% were female). Pigmentation, epilation and erythema were the most common manifestations while fbrosis and necrosis were least encountered manifestations. Conclusion: A number of patients develop acute or chronic radiodermatitis with or without associated variable cutaneous manifestations. Theseside effects of ionizing radiation signifcantly affect patient’s quality of life, also disturbs the treatment schedule. In the present study acute radiodermatitis was found to be more prevalent than chronic radiodermatitis. However, further research is necessary in order to effectively prevent, manage and reduce such complications. Key words: Ionizing, Radiation, Acute Radiodermatitis, Chronic Radiodermatitis, Epilation, Pigmentation, Erythema, Fibrosis, Necrosis. 1. MBBS, FCPS (Derma) Associate Professor& HOD Department of Dermatology, Hamdard College of Medicine & Dentistry, HUH. 2. FCPS (Derma), Diplomat Derma (RCPSG) Assistant Professor Department of Dermatology DOW International Medical College/ DUHS. 3. MBBS, FCPS Assistant Professor Department of Dermatology DOW Medical College/DUHS. 4. MBBS Aga Khan University (scholar) 5. Ph.D Biochemistry Assistant Professor Department of Biochemistry DOW International Medical College/ DUHS. 6. MBBS, MS In-charge Department of Rehabilitation, Civil Hospital Karachi. Correspondence Address: Dr. Humaira Maryum H-15, Globe Centre Gulistan e Johar, Block 6, University Road Karachi. humairamaryum@yahoo.com Article received on: 30/12/2017 Accepted for publication: 15/03/2018 Received after proof reading: 02/06/2018 Article Citation: Maryum H, Ahmed S, Talat H, Khan RS, Gitay M, Hameed A. Dermatitis; acute versus chronic radio dermatitis with ionizing radiation: a comparative study of their frequency of presentation.. Professional Med J 2018; 25(6):842-846. DOI:10.29309/TPMJ/18.4550 BACKGROUND The role of radiation therapy in the management of cancer is an important aspect of the oncological approach to malignancies. 1 The purpose behind the usage of radiation therapy involves destruction of cancer cells as well as minimal normal cell damage. 2 Ionizing radiation in particular involves the emission of energy that is strong enough to remove an electron from outer most orbit of an atom. This particular radiation can exist in an electromagnetic form or a particulate form. Literature suggests that most patients are able to toleratesuch radiation without observable side effects. However, approximately 5-10% of patients do have an increased tendency to exhibit cutaneous manifestations of radiation toxicity. 3 Due to the painful nature of such side effects as well as their impact on the quality of life, it is noted to play a role in adherence to treatment, tolerance and schedule. 4 The adverse cutaneous effects of radiation therapy include acute radiodermatiits, chronic radiodermatitis, and other late manifestations which include both benign and malignant skin changes. Acute radiodermatitis is classically defned as a skin reaction occurring during the frst 7-10 days following radiotherapy. It consists of several stages, initially beginning with erythema and progressing to pigmentation, DOI: 10.29309/TPMJ/18.4550