Radiation dermatitis is a common side effect of radiation therapy. While significant dermatitis rarely results from lower dose radiotherapy (e.g. single fraction palliative radiotherapy), it is common with higher dose radiation typically used in the definitive or adjuvant treatment of cancer. It results from skin damage due to ionizing radiation and typically develops within 1-4 weeks of starting therapy. This Fast Fact will discuss the clinical presentation and management of radiation dermatitis.
Link: Fast Facts #524 (12/2025)
