Assessment of weight loss and radiation dermatitis in Anal Cancer v1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Assessment of Malnutrition by unintentional weight loss and its impact on Radiation Dermatitis in patients having Chemoradiotherapy for Anal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
IRAS ID
356254
Contact name
Kashif Jarral
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University Hospitals of Leicester
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 25 days
Research summary
Although Radiotherapy techniques have improved over the years, acute radiation related skin dermatitis such as erythema and moist desquamation can become very painful, limiting activities of daily living and self-care, and for some patients the tumour discharge can produce an offensive smell which can be upsetting. The skin reaction can be present for 10-14 days after completing treatment.
Patients may also experience side effects such as increased frequency of bowel motions, faecal incontinence and diarrhoea which could lead to weight loss. Weight loss could increase the severity of skin reactions during and after radiotherapy.
Malnutrition by unplanned weight loss is often under recognized. Evidence from general wound care suggests that nutrition is important in wound healing, and nutritional support in head and neck cancer patients has shown lower treatment related complications and less treatment interruptions.Patients receiving chemoradiotherapy or radiotherapy for Anal cancer may be at risk of unplanned weight loss which could be a cause of increased skin reactions. Thus further research in this area is needed.
REC name
South Central - Oxford C Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/SC/0206
Date of REC Opinion
28 Jul 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion