377. Eur Radiol. 1996;6(6):786-95.
Radiation change in normal organs: an overview of body imaging.
Libshitz HI(1), DuBrow RA, Loyer EM, Charnsangavej C.
Author information:
(1)Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer
Center, Houston 77030, USA.
Radiotherapy causes changes in a treated malignancy and the surrounding normal
tissue which must be included in the radiation fields. Awareness of the expected
appearance of these changes frequently permits differentiation of them from
superimposed infection, recurrent malignancy, radiation-induced tumors, and the
other true complications of radiation therapy. Radiotherapy changes are a
function of the tissue volume treated, field shape, total dose and how it was
delivered, time from completion of therapy, and the possible effect of other
therapies. Timing of radiation changes varies in the different organs. Acute
radiation pneumonitis is generally seen approximately 2 months after completion
of radiotherapy, but radiation pericarditis not until 6-9 months after therapy.
Radiation-induced sarcomas do not develop on average until 10-15 years after
radiation therapy. An overview of expected findings and complications in the
lungs, heart, gastrointestinal tract, genitourinary tract, and bones is
presented.
PMID: 8972312 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]