Mepitel Questions

Hi lexicoe

I'm checking this out my breastcare RO and hopefully will have an answer soon,

The Mepitel needs to cover the area that is receiving radiation.

For me it was chest wall and supraclavicular nodes - so a 20/20 cm front - maybe a bit more a little strip for your axillae and two pieces for neck and back (exit).

They come in three sizes but certainly can be cut to shape so the bigger pieces are a little better cost wise - although they can twist and once that happens they sticks together and the piece is lost - peel the back slowly - preferably have a nurse help.

You will need spares as the edges roll off and will need a bit of clever decoupage and replacement.

And you have it for the time of the rads and the company recommends 3 weeks after ( I lasted 10 days). You can not get it wet, no swimming and odd showers.

For me it was great - I still got a skin "reaction" nice word really for skin deficit after rad 20 peaking at one week after the rads finished (25 total) - with the Mepitel I could wear clothes without discomfort, no blisters or ulcers, but everyone is different...

The general principle (as you know 😊) is that it decreases skin breakdown from friction and allows that top layer of skin to protect the bare skin deficit below. I think it worked

All the best 😊

do you know why they would not do nodes???


You get your measurements done first then have a simulation (Australia)


My simulation aka stage 0 was a shambles the machine had some issues timing breathing ...but really I think it was just so one can get used to being on the table and for them to see if you can breathold. You don't need the Mepitel for that. I would not even stress too much if it was session or two late - it's purpose is to keep the nonviable skin on, and decrease friction - you should not get much of that initially .


Skin color/fairness does not seem to correlate with skin reaction but I know what you mean I am fair skinned too

I don't know enough about it - it was just a question.

I didn't have the axillae Rads because I had 13 nodes taken out by choice - specifically I asked for a level 2 clearance - nothing showed up on the diagnostic MRI BTW, so thrilled I did - one sentinel node macromet 3.5 mm.

I have no chording or lymphoedema but I am of small frame, generally heal well and keep active.

Still on my Rads there was a fair bit of discussion between two "experts" of risk benefit - one no and one yes - as you can see in the end I went with the full degustation.

😊