Table 1 Summary of the pros and cons of conventional treatments for RISI
From: Will mesenchymal stem cells be future directions for treating radiation-induced skin injury?
Conventional treatments | Options | Pros | Cons | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Systemic therapy | Antibiotics | Control and eliminate bacterial infection | Potential risk of antibiotic resistance occurrence | |
Water-electrolyte balance | Supplement of loss of water-electrolyte by wounds | Cardiopulmonary load by excessive rehydration | ||
Nutritional support | Reduce autologous protein degradation and enhance immunity | Burden to kidney and liver | ||
Local treatment | Topical corticosteroids | Anti-inflammation, immunosuppression and anti-proliferation | Decrease histamine and deplete mast cells on skin | |
Creams and ointments | Anti-inflammatory and promote macrophages recruitment | Less effective in managing patient-reported symptoms | ||
Hydrogel dressings | Induce healing time, reduce pain and infection | Less frequent occurrence of severe skin reactions | ||
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy | Increase the oxygen supply, inhibit inflammatory reaction, and reduce exudation | Arterial insufficiency, refractory osteomyelitis and bone necrosis | ||
Superoxide dismutase | Antioxidant enzymes for scavenging free radicals | Not mentioned | ||
Low-intensity laser | Reduction of edema and analgesia induction | Not mentioned |