Severe skin radiodermatitis fully healed with the use of platelet gel and a hyperbaric chamber

Despite the continuous development of new chemotherapy agents and immunotherapy drugs capable of targeting malignancies, radiotherapy still represents a key strategy for the treatment of aggressive cancer. For instance, breast cancer patients undergo radiotherapy of the involved field to reduce the risk of relapse, as do patients with lymphomas. However, radiotherapy is associated with the development of severe complications, such as secondary acute myeloid leukaemia and myelodysplasia, chronic skin infection and in some cases even skin cancers. Less aggressive complications include radiodermatitis. This skin disorder is due to exposure to x- or γ-rays causing ionization of tissue water, leading to skin changes resembling burn injuries. The lesions are aesthetically quite disfiguring and can lead to significant psychosocial stress, particularly for women. We report here the first case of severe radiodermatitis with successful restitution ab integro by repeated administration of platelet gel.