Skin Changes

Radiation therapy has a direct effect on the skin. The effects of radiation can be dramatic. Providers are challenged to classify and minimize both acute and late effects and to manage the complications of treatment. Strategies to manage radiation skin reactions are ongoing topics of research and have led to a variety of clinical management models. Managing skin reactions can help alleviate distress caused by these symptoms and improve quality-of-life during and following radiation therapy. In this chapter, we will describe our institutional approach to skin management during radiation therapy.