Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Skin reactions after breast-conserving therapy and prediction of late complications using physiological functions

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Breast Cancer Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

The temperature of the skin remains elevated long after breast-conserving treatment with irradiation, perhaps because evaporative cooling is impaired. We investigated physiological changes of the irradiated skin and reevaluated the radiosensitivity of sweat glands on a functional basis to determine whether severe complications can be predicted.

Methods

Breast and axillary skin temperatures were measured with thermography and sweat production in response to local thermal stimuli was measured on the basis of changes in electrical skin resistance with a bridge circuit in 45 women before, during, and after breast irradiation for breast cancer.

Results

Breast and axillary skin temperatures were significantly increased after irradiation. In response to cutaneous thermal stimuli, the electric skin resistance of nonirradiated areas decreased significantly because of sweating, but that of irradiated areas was unchanged.

Conclusion

Impairment of sweating may play an important role in skin damage after irradiation. Although glandular tissue is not usually radiosensitive, the results of our functional assessment suggest that sweat glands are more radiosensitive than expected.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

BCT:

Breast-conserving surgery combined with radiotherapy

TLD:

Thermoluminescence dosimeter

ESRL:

electrical skin resistance level

References

  1. Archambeau JO, Pezner R, Wasserman T: Pathophysiology of irradiated skin and breast.Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 31:1171–1185, 1995.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. FajardoL-G LF: Morphology of radiation effects on normal tissues. In: Perez CP, Brady LW, Principles and Practice of Radiation Oncology, 3rd ed, Lippincott-Raven Publishers, Philadelphia, ppl43–154, 1998.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Richter, CP: Physiological factors involved in the electrical resistance of the skin.Am J Physiol 88:596–615, 1929.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Darrow CW: Considerations for evaluating galvanic skin reflex.Am J Psychiat 13:285–298, 1933.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Wang GH: The galvanic skin reflex. A review of old and recent works from a physiologic point of view.Am J Physic Med :295–320, 1957; 37:35–57, 1958.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Borak J: The radiation biology of the cutaneous glands.Radiology 27:651–655, 1936.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Benediktsson KP, Celebioglu F, Perbeck LG: Influence of radiation therapy on skin circulation in breast after breast conservative surgery.Acta Oncologica 36:715–718, 1997.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Inomata T, Ogawa Y, Nishioka A,et al: Changes in blood flow and skin reaction following radiation therapy.Nippon Igaku Hoshasen Gakkai-Zasshi 55:58–64, 1995 (in Japanese with English abstract).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Mossman KL: Quantitative radiation dose-response relationships for normal tissues in man. II. Response of the salivary glands during radiotherapy.Radiation Research 95:392–398, 1983.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Hagbarth KE, Hallin, RG, Hongell A,et al: General characteristics of sympathetic activity in human skin nerves.Acta Physiologica Scandinavia 84:164–176, 1972.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Ogawa T, Bullard RW: Characteristics of subthreshold sudomotor neural impulses.J Appl Physiol 33:300–305, 1972.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Bini G, Hagbarth KE, Hynninen P,et al: Thermoregulatory and rhythm-generating mechanisms governing the sudomotor and vasoconstrictor outflow in human cutaneous nerves.J Physiol 306:537–552, 1980.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Bini G, Hagbarth KE, Hynninen P,et al: Regional similarities and differences in thermogegularoty vaso-and sudomotor tone.J Physiol 306:553–656, 1980.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Ogawa T: Basic knowledge on mechanisms of sweating for clinical tests.Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (IGAKU NO AYUMI) 140:413–417, 1987 (in Japanese).

    Google Scholar 

  15. Umeyama T, Numata K, Wakasugi B,et al: Psychological and thermal perspiration in the judgement of effectiveness of stellate ganglion block.Pain Clinic 12:189–192, 1991 (in Japanese).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Division of Radiotherapy, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Japan

    Hiroshi Sekine, Masao Kobayashi, Chikara Honda, Manabu Aoki, Masayuki Nakagawa & Chihiro Kanehira

Authors
  1. Hiroshi Sekine
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Masao Kobayashi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Chikara Honda
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Manabu Aoki
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Masayuki Nakagawa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Chihiro Kanehira
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

About this article

Cite this article

Sekine, H., Kobayashi, M., Honda, C. et al. Skin reactions after breast-conserving therapy and prediction of late complications using physiological functions. Breast Cancer 7, 142–148 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02967446

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02967446

Key words

Search

Navigation