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Blisters—an unusual effect during radiotherapy

Bullae – eine ungewöhnliche Hautreaktion während der Strahlentherapie

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Abstract

The skin reaction to radiation is regularly monitored in order to detect enhanced radiosensitivity of the patient, unexpected interactions (e.g. with drugs) or any inadvertent overdosage. It is important to distinguish secondary disease from radiation reaction to provide adequate treatment and to avoid unnecessary discontinuation of radiotherapy. A case of bullous eruption or blisters during radiotherapy of the breast is presented. Differential diagnoses bullous pemphigoid, pemphigus vulgaris, and bullous impetigo are discussed and treatment described.

Zusammenfassung

Die Hautreaktion wird während der Strahlentherapie kontinuierlich überwacht, um rechtzeitig eine erhöhte Strahlenempfindlichkeit der Patientin/des Patienten, eventuelle unerwartete Interaktionen mit Begleitmedikation oder eine unbemerkte Überdosierung zu erkennen. Zweiterkrankungen, die nicht Strahlentherapie-assoziiert sind, sollten von radiogenen Reaktionen differenziert werden, um sie adäquat behandeln zu können. Bullae sind nicht typisch für die akute Radiodermatitis. Die Differenzialdiagnosen bullöses Pemphigoid, Pemphigus vulgaris und bullöse Impetigo sowie deren Therapie werden diskutiert.

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Compliance with ethical guidelines

Conflict of interest. U. Hoeller, T. Schubert, V. Budach, U. Trefzer, and M. Beyer state that there are no conflicts of interest.

The accompanying manuscript does not include studies on humans or animals.

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Correspondence to U. Höller.

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Höller, U., Schubert, T., Budach, V. et al. Blisters—an unusual effect during radiotherapy. Strahlenther Onkol 189, 977–979 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00066-013-0444-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00066-013-0444-9

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