This retrospective multicenter case series evaluated high-dose oral vitamin D (100,000 IU of cholecalciferol or ergocalciferol, 1–2 doses) for toxic erythema of chemotherapy (TEC) and acute radiation dermatitis (ARD) in 33 oncology patients across 3 academic centers (December 2021–January 2024), with at least 10 days of follow-up.
87% of patients (26/30) reported subjective symptom relief within 10 days; median time to improvement was 5 days overall (3 days for inpatients). Mean Likert erythema score dropped from 4.36 to 2.21 by day 10. 73% (24/33) continued anticancer therapy without interruption, and no treatment-related adverse events or meaningful serum calcium changes were observed.
Small sample size (n=33) with no control group limits causal inference. Retrospective design introduces selection and reporting bias. Only 5 patients had ARD, making subgroup conclusions unreliable.
High-dose oral vitamin D (100,000 IU) may offer a rapid, safe supportive option for chemotherapy- or radiation-induced skin toxicity, potentially helping patients stay on their cancer treatment. Prospective controlled trials are needed before routine adoption.
