The patient's page.

Radiation and Skin Toxicity

Radiation to the breast can cause a variety of skin changes. These are usually divided into two groups: early effects and late effects.

Early Effects

(Occur within 90 days from initiation of radiation)

1. Dryness

2. Pigmentation changes and/or redness

3. Scaling and itching

4. Excessive moisture and oozing

Late Effects

(Occur more than 90 days following completion of radiation)

1. Atrophy

2. Skin thickening, induration and edema

3. Pigmentation changes

4. Dilation and redness of tiny skin vessels (telangiectasias)

5. Skin necrosis

Treatment for radiation-induced skin changes vary, and may include topical therapies such as aloe vera and skin moisturization, medications such as corticosteroids, and dressings for moist wounds. If you experience any of the above symptomatology, speak to your physician about treatment options.

"Skin Toxicity During Breast Irradiation" Drs. Jennifer Harper, Joseph Jenrette, Eric Aguero and Lynette Franklin, MSN. From the Medical University of South Carolina, Southern Medical Journal, October 2004.

Click Clack

Does the clicking sound from your aortic valve replacement annoy you? Be grateful that it's there! The loss of that metallic clicking sound may indicate valve infection or malfunction of the valve. So, if that clicking sound stops, don't celebrate your newfound peace and quiet--call your doctor.

"Prosthetic Valve Endocarditis Presenting as Loss of the Metallic Click Sound" Drs. Antoine Sreih and Rahul Mehta. From The Hospital of Saint Raphael, Southern Medical Journal, October 2004.

Stroke and Anticoagulation

Strokes are a common malady with devastating consequences. The annual rate of stroke among patients who suffer from nonvalvular atrial fibrillation is about 5% per year. The importance of anticoagulation therapy in preventing stroke is common knowledge and has become the standard of care. And yet, not all patients at risk of stroke are on anticoagulation therapy. Why not? One of the reasons may be the inconvenience of the frequent checkups that are required for most anticoagulants. Warfarin and Coumadin both require monthly lab checks, and for this reason, patients are often hesitant to begin these medications. Don't be put off by those frequent trips to the doctor, though. Successful prevention of a stroke is well worth a few hours of monthly inconvenience. If you're at risk for a stroke, ask your doctor about anticoagulation therapy.

"Clinical Correlation Between Effective Anticoagulants and Risk of Stroke: Are We Using Evidence-based Strategies?" Drs. Ali Rahimi, Bobby Wrights, Hossein Akhondi, and Christian Richard, MSc. From Memorial Health University Medical Center, Southern Medical Journal, October 2004.