Radiation dermatitis is one of the most common side effects of radiotherapy approximately
occurring in about 95% of patients receiving radiotherapy . Acute injury due to structural
tissue damage, generation of free radicals, irreversible double-stranded breaks in nuclear
and mitochondrial DNA, and initiation of an inflammatory response in the epidermis and dermis
occurs within hours to weeks after radiation exposure. Radiation dermatitis due to pain and
discomfort has an adverse impact on the quality of a patient's life.The radiation toxicities
such as radiation dermatitis encountered in clinical practice are typically managed with a
variety of topical agents such as water-based moisturizing creams or lotions, topical
steroids, antiinflammatory emulsions, and wound dressings. Pharmacologic interventions for
the prevention and treatment of these toxicity can be used to protect skin against radiation
damage.Currently, there is no standard treatment for the prevention of radiation-induced
dermatitis with demonstrated effectiveness.The aim of this randomized, double-blind,
placebo-controlled study is to evaluate the effectiveness of topical doxepin for the
prevention and management of radiation-induced dermatitis during postoperative radiotherapy
for breast cancer.