The impact of age on healing times in radiation dermatitis

Summary: Abstract Body: This study investigated the relationship between age and healing times in patients with radiation dermatitis (RD), a common adverse effect of radiation therapy (RT) affecting up to 95% of patients. Slower skin regeneration and immune response in older adults suggest age may influence RD resolution. This retrospective analysis included 21 adult cancer patients treated with RT at the University of California Davis Medical Center (2000–2024), identified via ICD-10 codes. RD healing times were defined as the number of days from RT completion and RD diagnosis to resolution. Patients were stratified by age (≤70 vs. >70 years) and Fitzpatrick skin types (I–VI). Kaplan–Meier estimators and log-rank tests assessed time-to-event outcomes. Patients aged ≤70 years resolved RD significantly faster than those >70 years. Median healing times from RT completion to resolution were shorter in younger patients (p=0.018), as were times from RD diagnosis to resolution (p=0.02). No significant differences were observed among Fitzpatrick skin types I–III, though limited representation of types IV–VI precluded further analysis. These findings suggest that age significantly affects RD recovery, with younger patients experiencing faster healing. Slower epithelial regeneration, collagen production, and immune response in older adults may explain delayed resolution. Future studies should focus on diverse populations and tailored interventions, such as advanced wound care and skin barrier therapies, to improve outcomes for older patients. Aneri B. Patel¹, Jeffrey Fine², Zainab Akinjobi², Oma Agbai³ 1. School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, United States. 2. Division of Biostatistics, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, United States. 3. Department of Dermatology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, United States. Clinical Research: Epidemiology and Observational Research