• Intervention
    Is there a relationship between supplementation of antioxidant vitamin E, which may interact with radiation therapy treatment, tolerance of radiation therapy treatment and late-effects of radiation therapy treatment in patients with chronic radiation-induced fibrosis resulting from breast cancer treatment?
    • Conclusion

      Research neither supports nor refutes the use of oral vitamin E supplementation for improved tolerance to or outcome of treatment in breast cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy. However, some evidence shows that oral supplementation of vitamin E may be beneficial in treating late-effects of radiation therapy treatment. One positive quality RCT found no effectiveness of oral vitamin E on the treatment of chronic RIF resulting from breast cancer treatment as measured by perometer. A study of neutral quality found an effect, but the fibrosis measurement methodology was not validated. Larger PRCTs with validated measures of radiation therapy effect are needed.

    • Grade: III
      • Grade I means there is Good/Strong evidence supporting the statement;
      • Grade II is Fair;
      • Grade III is Limited/Weak;
      • Grade IV is Expert Opinion Only;
      • Grade V is Not Assignable.
      • High (A) means we are very confident that the true effect lies close to that of the estimate of the effect;
      • Moderate (B) means we are moderately confident in the effect estimate;
      • Low (C) means our confidence in the effect estimate is limited;
      • Very Low (D) means we have very little confidence in the effect estimate.
      • Ungraded means a grade is not assignable.
    • Search Plan and Results: Antioxidants and Radiation Therapy 2006