Cui, Z., Xin, M., Yin, H., Zhang, J., & Han, F. (2015). Topical use of olive oil preparation to prevent radiodermatitis: Results of a prospective study in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, 8, 11000–11006. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4565279/

To evaluate the effect of olive oil on radiodermatitis

Patients were randomly assigned to the olive oil group or the control group. Patients treated with olive oil used it three times daily beginning on the first day of radiation therapy (RT) and continued for two weeks after completion of RT. The control group used water in place of the olive oil. Both groups were instructed to gently wash with water alone or mild soap and water. Side effects were recorded by a dermatologist and radiologist who were blinded to the study group assignment.

• N = 94
• MEAN AGE = 55.9 years
• MALES: 93.6%, FEMALES: 6.4%
• KEY DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: All had nasopharyngeal cancer, and most were stage III.
• OTHER KEY SAMPLE CHARACTERISTICS: All were receiving high-dose RT (total dose = 70 Gy) with weekly cisplatin and docetaxel. Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) was used in two Gy daily fractions for seven weeks.

• SITE: Single site  
• SETTING TYPE: Outpatient  
• LOCATION: China

PHASE OF CARE: Active antitumor treatment

Single-blind, randomized, controlled trial

• Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) skin scoring
• Visual analog scales (VASs) for itching, pain, and burning (0–10)

Grade I and II skin reactions occurred in 93.6% of those using olive oil and 72.3% of those using water. Grade III reactions were seen in 6.4% of those in the experimental group and 27.7% of those in the control group (p < 0.01). Symptoms from VAS scores were also lower in the experimental group (p < 0.01). No patients developed grade IV skin toxicity.

Olive oil appeared to provide some protection against the development of severe radiodermatitis compared to cleansing and water alone.

• Small sample (< 100)
• Measurement/methods not well described
• Whether all symptoms were on a single VAS score and the frequency of that scoring were unclear. 
• Whether patients were instructed not to use any other skin treatments was not stated.

Prophylactic use of topical olive oil may provide protection from the development of more severe radiodermatitis. Results of this study provide promising results. Further research to confirm these findings would be beneficial.