RADIATION THERAPY

Currently, there are four more accepted treatments for cancer; surgery, systemic/chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and hormonal therapy. These interventions are used alone or in combination with the treatment plan individualized to the patient. Our understanding of radiation began 100 years ago with the discovery of x-rays by Professor Wilhelm Roentgen and the isolation of radium by Marie and Pierre Curie. Since then, our extensive knowledge and clinical experience with radiation has led to the development of more effective therapeutic interventions For cancerous conditions, such as Hodgkin's disease, leukemia and other cancers.

Since the 1940s, radiation therapy has been effective in destroying cancer cells, but often also harmed "good" cells, which created other issues for patients. Since then, the medical technologies have improved significantly and the risks associated with radiation treatment have declined dramatically. The radiation therapy available today allows for specific and local treatment of cancerous tumors at lower doses.

Each cancer therapy has the potential for side effects. The type of side effect and its severity dependent on the cancer and the treatment(s) selected. In the case of radiation therapy, potential side effects include hair loss, nausea, diarrhea, arid skin reactions sometimes referred to as a "sunburn effect." Skin reactions are common considering that the skin is thelargest organ of the human body and any radiation must enter and exit through the skin. In addition, people undergoing concomitant chemotherapy and radiation therapy typically experience more severe skin reactions.

There are four general types of skin reactions seen in radiation therapy. Clinically, in order of severity, they are referred to as erythema, dry desquamation, moist/wet desquamation, and skin necrosis. In more simple terms, erythema refers to the reddening of skin and inflammation. Dry desquamation refers to dry skin and/or irritation/itching. Moist to wet desquamation refers to skin damage (e.g., broken skin and infection] due to a fluid filled abscess created by a blocked duct or capillary and commonly occurring around skin folds. Finally, skin necrosis, the most severe of reactions, refers to "dead" skin tissue, but is relatively uncommon Every patient reacts differently, some may have minimal reactions while others may develop all the conditions. In any event almost all patients develop some form of a reactions from radiation therapy.

The lack of published information defining the cause of radiation skin reactions indicates that the definitive mechanism has not been determined. This has made it difficult to develop therapies for this condition Treatment of skin reactions by medical professionals have varied significantly over the past decades (with some based on anecdotal remedies such as margarine) which include Maalox*, aloe vera, and OTC moisturizing lotions. Needless to say, the majority of these treatments do not provide the appropriate environment for healing radiation skin reactions, or for preventing them.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS CONSIDERATIONS

BIAFINE^? reduces the frequency and severity of radiation induced skin reactions when used prophylactically. BIAFINE^? is effective in managing radiodermatitis once it has occurred. Do not apply 4 hours prior to radiation sessions. Do not halt applications during your radiation regimen, even for one day.

Prophylaxis:

? Applications should begin immediately following the First session.

? Gently massage a generous amount of BIAFINE^? into theirradiated area, three times per day, seven days a week. 

Management of erythema and/or dry desquamation:

? Gently massage a generous amount of BIAFINE^? on and around the affected area, three times per day, seven days a week.

Management of moist/wet desquamation:

? Apply a thick layer (1/4-1/2 inch) of BIAFINE^? on and around the affected area, cover with a moist gauze, secondary dressing and secure.

? Renew dressing every 24 hours. 

Post-Radiation Session:

Sometimes skin reactions (such as skin hardening, flaking, scaling, etc.] appear several weeks or months after the last radiation session. Since BIAFINE^? works on skin reactions from the surface inward, interrupting or stopping BIAFINE^? applications too quickly may result in a reaction appearing days or weeks later. Consult a physician regarding recommended therapy duration.

? Gently massage a generous amount of BIAFINE^? into the irradiated area, three times per day, seven days a week.

Considerations: 

If the irradiated area is marked with a pen and not tattoos, care should be taken to only apply BIAFINE^? within the marked area since it may erase pen markings. It will not erase tattoos.

BIAFINE^?, the number 1 choice for reducing the severity and frequency of radiation reactions, and for healing reactions once they occur. BIAFINE^? is the ONLY product on the market today to have shown in clinical trials that it is effective inreducing the severity and frequency of radiation reactions if used prophylactically - Other products in use today such as "petrolatum" based products, "Aloe Vera" based gels/hydro-gels have been shown to have no effect in either reducing reactions or treating reactions.