Bacterial Decolonization to Prevent Radiation Dermatitis
Status:
Recruiting
Trial end date:
2021-12-31
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
The purpose of this study is to determine whether bacterial decolonization of the nares and
skin prior to treatment with radiotherapy (RT) for patients with cancers of the head and neck
or breast, can prevent high-grade radiation dermatitis (RD) and improve quality of life. This
study is being conducted because prior studies from this research group have found bacterial
colonization in the nose prior to initiation of RT to be associated with an increased risk of
high-grade RD. Patients in the treatment arm will receive pretreatment with mupirocin
ointment to the nares and chlorhexidine wash to the body while patients in the control arm
will receive standard of care treatment. Bacterial cultures will be taken from the nares and
skin, and participants will also complete a quality of life questionnaire before and after
RT.