Radiodermatitis in the Field of Traditional Persian Medicine; A Narrative Review

Abstract

Background: Radiotherapy comprises one of the treatment modalities offered in the treatment of various types of cancer. Acute radiation-induced dermatitis is a common complication of radiotherapy. Interestingly, manifestations consistent with radiodermatitis have been reported in the literature of Traditional Persian Medicine (TPM). The purpose of this narrative review was to achieve an adaptive understanding of radiodermatitis from the perspective of TPM and semiotics.

Method: In this review, all new studies pertaining to radiodermatitis performed according to TPM theories were reviewed along with all TPM references. The Scopus, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Google Scholar, ISI Web of Science, SID, and Magiran databases were scanned with the terms ‘radiodermatitis’ or ‘radiation dermatitis’ or ‘radiation burn’ or ‘radiation-induced skin burning’ or ‘radiation-induced dermatitis’ and ‘Persian medicine.’ All articles published until the end of February 2021 were included.

Results: Similarities were found between the findings of three novel TPM research articles and the texts of 36 TPM reference books. Evidence was found in favor of some consistence between thermal and chemical burns in TPM and radiodermatitis in modern medicine, although the precise equivalent for radiodermatitis in TPM could not be delineated.

Conclusion: According to the clinical manifestations and pathophysiology of radiodermatitis described in modern medicine, it seems that radiodermatitis can be considered as a compound disease similar to Ihrāq.