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# Melatonin helps radiation-induced dermatitis in breast cancer patients
- URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/melatonin_breast_cancer_dermatitis_0529160650/
- Published: 2016-05-29T19:49:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-22T16:30:51.000Z
- Description: In a trial of 47 women having radiotherapy after breast-conserving surgery, grade 1 or 2 dermatitis appeared in 59 percent of those using melatonin cream against 90 percent on placebo, the Israel Medical Association Journal reports.
- Author: Food Consumer
- Tags: Drug, Health News, #vivvo-import

Sunday may 28, 2016 (foodconsumer.org) -- Melatonin can ease radiation-induced dermatitis during radiotherapy for breast cancer, according to a new study published in the Israel Medical Association Journal.

Melatonin-based creams have been known to render a protective effect against ultraviolet-induced erythema in rats. The current study was intended to evaluate the efficacy of melatonin-containing cream in reducing acute dermatitis induced by radiotherapy for breast cancer.

In the study, 47 breast cancer patients who had undergone breast conserving surgery were assigned to receive melatonin cream or placebo twice a day during radiation therapy and two weeks after the end of treatment.

Radiation-induced grade 1/2 dermatitis was found in 59% of those receiving melatonin emulsion and 90% of those receiving placebo. Women aged 50 years or older were less likely than those younger patients to develop dermatitis, 56% vs. 100%. The grade 2 dermatitis, which was the worst recorded in the study, was found in 15% of the patients after the radiation treatment.

The study authors concluded "Patients (with breast cancer) treated with melatonin-containing emulsion experienced significantly reduced radiation dermatitis compared to patients receiving placebo." (David Liu)

*Source: Ben-David MA, Elkayam R, Gelernter I, Pfeffer RM., Melatonin for Prevention of Breast Radiation Dermatitis: A Phase II, Prospective, Double-Blind Randomized Trial. Isr Med Assoc J. 2016 Mar-Apr;18(3-4):188-92.*