Management of cutaneous radiation injuries: diagnostic and therapeutic principles of the cutaneous radiation syndrome.

The cutaneous symptoms that appear after radiation exposure are caused by a combination of inflammatory processes and alteration of cellular proliferation as a result of a specific pattern of transcriptionally activated proinflammatory cytokines and growth factors. The symptoms follow a time course consisting of prodromal erythema, manifestation, chronic stage, and late stage; these symptoms are referred to as cutaneous radiation syndrome (CRS). The time course depends on several factors such as the applied radiation dose, radiation quality, individual radiation sensitivity, extent of contamination and absorption, and volume of skin exposed. For diagnosis of CRS, the following procedures are used: 7.5 to 20 MHz B-scan sonography, thermography, capillary microscopy, profilometry, nuclear magnetic resonance imaging, bone scintigraphy, and histology. Based on the results of previous experimental and clinical research, pharmacotherapy of CRS can include topical or systemic application of corticosteroids, gamma interferon, pentoxifylline and vitamin E, and superoxide dismutase. The treatment varies according to the stage of CRS. Due to the complexity of the clinical manifestations of radiation disease in most patients, interdisciplinary treatment at specialized centers is necessary. In most cases, dermatologists are asked to provide lifelong therapy and follow-up of the patients.