Rare Complication Of Radiotherapy Research Articles

Predictive Factors Associated With Radiation Myelopathy in Pediatric Patients With Cancer: A PENTEC Comprehensive Review

Radiation myelitis (RM) is a rare complication of radiation therapy (RT). The Pediatric Normal Tissue Effects in the Clinic spinal cord task force aimed to identify RT dose effects and assess risk factors for RM in children. Through systematic review, we analyzed RT dose, fraction size, latency between completion of RT and toxicity, chemotherapy use, age when irradiated, and sex. We conducted literature searches of peer-reviewed manuscripts published from 1964 to June 2017 evaluating RM among children. Normality of variables was assessed with Kolmogorov-Smirnov or Shapiro-Wilk tests. Spearman's rank correlation coefficients were used to test correlations between RT dose/fraction size and latency between RT and development of toxicity. Of 1329 identified and screened reports, 144 reports were fully reviewed and determined to have adequate data for analysis; 16 of these reports had a total of 33 cases of RM with a median age of 13 years (range, 0.2-18) at the time of RT. The most common primary tumor histologies were rhabdomyosarcoma (n = 9), medulloblastoma (n = 5), and Hodgkin lymphoma (n = 2); the most common chemotherapy agents given were vincristine (n = 15), intrathecal methotrexate (n = 12), and intrathecal cytarabine (n = 10). The median RT dose and fraction size were 40 Gy (range, 24-57.4 Gy) and 1.8 Gy (range, 1.3-2.6 Gy), respectively. RT dose resulting in RM in patients who also received chemotherapy was lower than in those not receiving chemotherapy (mean 39.6 vs 49.7 Gy; P = .04). There was no association of age with RT dose. The median latency period was 7 months (range, 1-29). Higher RT dose was correlated with longer latency periods (P = .03) to RM whereas sex, age, fraction size, and chemotherapy use were not. Two of 17 patients with adequate follow-up recovered from RM; unfortunately, it was fatal in 6 of 15 evaluable patients. Complication probability modeling was not possible because of the rarity of events. This report demonstrates a relatively short latency from RT (with or without chemotherapy) to RM and a wide range of doses (including fraction sizes) associated with RM. No apparent association with age at the time of RT could be discerned. Chemotherapy appears to reduce spinal cord tolerance. Recovery from RM is rare, and it is often fatal.

Abstract 11603: Reexamining the Incidence and Predictors of Radiation Induced Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device Malfunction in Cancer Patients and Streamlining Management

Background: Historically, the reported incidence of Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device (CIED) malfunction during Radiotherapy (RT) is estimated to range from 3% to 20%. However, most of these studies had small sample sizes and may have overestimated the clinical impact of this problem. In this retrospective study, we examined the incidence of device reset and transient signal interference due to RT in a large cohort of patients. In addition, we studied the feasibility of a novel method of monitoring CIEDs during RT: pulse check method (PCM). Methods: From 1/2015 to 4/2023, patients with CIEDs requiring RT at a tertiary cancer center were identified. CIEDs were checked prior to RT. Candidate patients were managed with PCM, which involves programming the lower pacing rate at 75 bpm (slightly faster than lower rate of pacing during reset mode). Pulse checks were performed after each fraction of RT. Patients with heart rate less than 75 bpm had immediate device interrogation to assess for reset. After completion of RT, devices were interrogated and CIED programming returned to original settings. Results: Our study reviewed 720 patients with CIEDs undergoing 837 courses (560 pacemakers and 277 defibrillators) of RT, of which the majority (85%) were managed with PCM. Neutron producing RT (proton and photon with >10MV beam energy) was used in 189 (22.6%) cases, and 9 (1.1%) devices experienced reset. All resets were recoverable and occurred in the setting of neutron-producing radiation, especially proton therapy [OR 12.06 (3.37 - 43.10), p-value 0.0001]. Site of radiation, type of device, and number of RT fractions did not predict reset. No transient signal interference or oversensing events occurred during RT. Conclusions: CIED malfunction is a rare complication of RT, occurring in the setting of neutron producing radiation, with no serious clinical consequence. Transient signal interference and oversensing during RT was not observed to be a clinical concern in contemporary devices. Thus, asynchronous pacing in pacer dependent patients and deactivation of defibrillator tachy-therapy during RT is not necessary. PCM is a practical and cost-effective way to monitor CIEDs during RT.

Breast cancer after thoracic radiotherapy in young patients: what does the radiologist need to know?

Radiation-induced secondary tumors constitute a rare complication of radiation therapy and typically occur in or near the irradiated area. Women who undergo thoracic radiotherapy before 30 years of age have a significantly greater lifetime risk of developing breast cancer than do those in the general population. It is recommended that a patient who has previously received thoracic radiotherapy with a radiation dose ≥ 10 Gy subsequently undergo annual screening with mammography and magnetic resonance imaging, beginning eight years after the initial treatment or when the patient has reached 25 years of age (whichever comes later). The treatment of secondary breast cancer in this population should be individualized and should be discussed with a multidisciplinary team to avoid toxicity related to the treatment of the primary cancer.

Recurrent Radiation-Induced Cavernous Malformation After Gamma Knife Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Brain Metastasis

Cavernous malformations are a rare complication of radiation therapy reported most commonly as a late complication after cranial irradiation for pediatric malignancies. However, cavernous malformations after stereotactic radiosurgery in adult patients are not well characterized. We present a case of a 67-year-old female with metastatic breast cancer who received Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery for brain metastases and developed a cavernous malformation at the site of a treated metastasis 30 months after treatment. She underwent resection and did well until 55 months later, when she developed symptomatic recurrence of cavernous malformation without evidence of tumor recurrence, requiring repeat resection. This represents the first reported case of radiation-induced cavernous malformation treated with stereotactic radiosurgery for brain metastases, who later developed a recurrence of the cavernous malformation. As patients with brain metastases are living longer and are increasingly treated with stereotactic radiosurgery, awareness of cavernous malformation as a potential complication and the risk of recurrence is critical to ensure appropriate diagnosis and management.

Post-irradiation morphea: An under reported complication

Post irradiation morphea (PIM) is a rare complication of radiotherapy, which occurs abruptly after an asymptomatic period of one month to three years and presents with painful sclerotic plaques associated with severe pain and disfigurement. We are reporting a 55-year-old patient of operated breast carcinoma, post chemotherapy; who developed PIM five months after completion of radiotherapy. PIM being a complication of radiotherapy with unpredictable risk factors is an underdiagnosed condition. Early suspiscion of the disease is necessary in order to avoid irreversible complications.

Rare case of recurrent chylothorax following irradiation for esophageal cancer

Introduction: Chylothorax is a rare cause of pleural effusion that results from damage of the thoracic duct and chyle leakage from the lymphatic system into the pleural space. Causes of chylothorax can be traumatic or non-traumatic. Chylothorax occurring due to damage to the thoracic duct by thoracic irradiation is rare, and infrequently described in the literature. Case Report: We present a case of a 74-year-old patient with a history of stage IV esophageal cancer who developed recurrent bilateral chylothoraces after palliative radiotherapy to her esophagus. She was treated conservatively with multiple modalities, including total parental nutrition leading to an oral low-fat medium-chain triglyceride diet, subcutaneous octreotide injection, and long-term insertions of bilateral chest drains. Conclusion: This case report and discussion highlight that chylothorax is a rare complication of radiotherapy. A suspicion of chylothorax should be raised in patients who present with recurrent pleural effusions after radiotherapy to the esophagus or mediastinum, as early intervention can improve outcomes in these patients.

Osteosarcoma of the sternum after radiotherapy for breast cancer in a patient with suspected hereditary cancer syndrome: a case report

AbstractIntroduction:Radiation-induced malignancies are a rare phenomenon. Post-radiation sarcoma accounts for 0·5–5·5% of all sarcomas. Adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) after surgery plays a significant role in the treatment of breast cancer. Sarcomas of the breast, chest wall, sternum, axilla or supraclavicular region have been reported as a rare complication of RT for breast cancer. Osteosarcoma (OS) of the sternal bone is a rarely reported entity. OS of the sternum secondary to therapeutic ionising radiation is an even rarer diagnosis, and no such cases have been reported in India as per our literature search. Here we report such a case of post-radiation sarcoma after breast cancer treatment—OS presenting in the sternum and both the second ribs in a young lady.Findings:Our patient developed a sarcoma within a previously irradiated field. The latent period was 7·5 years. She initially suffered from a breast carcinoma for which she underwent radical surgery in the form of modified radical mastectomy. She also received 50 Gy RT dose to the chest wall and axilla. She subsequently developed an OS of chest wall in the high-dose region of RT. Another key factor is the high possibility of familial/hereditary cancer inheritance syndrome like Li-Fraumeni in our patient. Though she was never tested for p53 mutations, her young age at first diagnosis (26 years), extremely strong positive family history and spectra of cancers affecting her first-degree blood relatives (brain tumours, leukaemia) strongly hint at the possibility of such a cancer syndrome. Retrospectively, the question certainly arises, given her young age and family history, whether this patient was a right candidate for RT even once as compared to the fact that she received radiation twice.

Lumbar vertebral osteoradionecrosis: a rare case report with 10-year follow-up and brief literature review

BackgroundOsteoradionecrosis (ORN) is a complication that occurs after radiotherapy for head or neck malignancies. ORN of the spine is rare, with only few cases affecting the cervical spine reported to date. To our knowledge, no case of lumbar ORN has been reported. We report a rare case of ORN in the lumbar spine that occurred 2 years after radiotherapy and perform a literature review.Case presentationWe present a case of lumbar ORN that occurred 2 years after radiotherapy for gallbladder carcinoma. The patient was successfully treated conservatively and followed up for > 10 years.ConclusionsORN of the spine is a rare complication of radiotherapy. Spinal ORN is clinically described as a chronic disease with a slow onset. The most common presenting symptom of spinal ORN is pain. However, as ORN progresses, spinal kyphosis and instability can lead to neurological compression and thus to induced myelopathy or radiculopathy. Treatment of spinal ORN is comprehensive, including orthosis, medication, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, surgery, and new treatment combinations of pentoxifylline and tocopherol. The surgical rate for spinal ORN is relatively high.

Radiation induced angiosarcoma of the hypopharynx: a rare case report and review of literature

Radiation-induced sarcoma in the head and neck is a long-term rare complication of radiation therapy, with an estimated risk of up to 0.3%. The incidence of these sarcomas is, however, likely to increase due to the progressive aging of the population combined with improved survival in head and neck cancer patients resulting from better treatment regimes. This is a case of post -radiation sarcoma of the hypopharynx radiated for tongue carcinoma previously. This case is reported to high light a rare but devastating complication of radiotherapy that is to be kept in mind during follow up.

Osteoradionecrosis of the Temporal Bone: An Evidence-Based Approach.

To perform a systematic review evaluating etiologies, associated complications, and management of osteoradionecrosis of the temporal bone (ORNTB). The authors searched the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases for relevant literature. Patient demographics, etiologies, treatments, and other clinical characteristics were obtained. Treatment success was defined as resolution of symptoms at last follow-up. Results were reported using the preferred reporting systems for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Thirty-eight studies encompassing 364 patients with ORNTB were identified. The most common etiologies necessitating radiotherapy included: nasopharyngeal carcinoma (n = 133 [36.8%]), parotid tumors (n = 73 [20.2%]), and external auditory canal pathology (n = 59 [16.3%]). The mean dose of radiation was 58.0 Gy. The mean lag time between radiotherapy and osteoradionecrosis (ORN) symptoms was 7.9 years. The most common presenting symptoms were purulent otorrhea (33.3%), hearing loss (29.1%), and otalgia (17%). ORNTB complications included tympanic membrane perforation (n = 102 [63.8%]) and chronic otitis media (n = 16 [10%]). Treatments included lateral temporal bone resection (n = 99 [28.3%]), conservative treatment (n = 92 [26.3%]), and mastoidectomy (n = 82 [23.5%]) with 90.9, 89.13, and 59.76% considered successful, respectively. ORNTB is a rare complication of radiotherapy that may present years after initial radiation exposure. Management should be aimed at relief of presenting symptoms and treatment of ORNTB associated complications. Both conservative and surgical measures may adequately control the disease process and symptomatology; however, randomized controlled studies comparing treatments would serve to further corroborate these findings.

Radiation‐associated sarcoma after breast cancer in a nationwide population: Increasing risk of angiosarcoma

Radiation‐associated sarcoma (RAS) is a rare complication of radiation therapy (RT) to breast cancer (BC). This study explored RAS after RT to BC in a nationwide population‐based material. The Finnish Cancer Registry was queried for patients with BC treated during 1953‐2014 who were later diagnosed with a secondary sarcoma in 1953‐2014. Registry data, patient files, and sarcoma specimens were analyzed to confirm diagnosis and location of RAS at or close to the RT target volume. A total of 132 512 patients were diagnosed with invasive BC during the study period. A subsequent sarcoma was diagnosed in 355 patients. After exclusion, 96 RAS were identified. Angiosarcoma (AS) was the most prevalent histology in 50 (52%) of 96 patients. However, the first radiation‐associated AS was diagnosed in a patient treated for BC with breast‐conserving surgery in 1984, and thereafter, the proportion of AS continuously increased. The 5‐year sarcoma‐specific survival was 75.1% for RAS treated with a curative intent. The distribution of histologic subtypes of RAS has changed during the 60 years of this registry study. The first radiation‐associated AS was diagnosed in 1989, and presently, AS is the most common histologic subtype of RAS. It is possible that changes in BC treatment strategies are influencing the characteristics of RAS.

Radiation-associated Pituitary Sarcoma

Background: Radiation therapy is commonly used as primary or adjuvant treatment for pituitary adenomas. Frequent side effects of this modality include hypopituitarism, visual disturbances, short-term memory loss and secondary tumors, sarcomas being among the rarest of the sellar region, with only 55 reported cases to date. Clinical Presentation: A 57-year old man with hypopituitarism and a 20-year history of a non-functioning pituitary macroadenoma subtotally resected four times and undergoing whole brain radiotherapy and bromocriptine, who developed acute visual deterioration due to compression of the optic chiasm by rapid growth of the residual tumor. An endoscopic transplanum approach was performed achieving gross total resection. Histopathological examination was consistent with an undifferentiated low-grade pituitary sarcoma. The patient’s vision improved after surgery, but healthcare-associated complications compromised his clinical outcome, succumbing to a pulmonary embolism a month after surgery. Conclusion: Radiation-induced pituitary sarcoma is a very rare complication of radiotherapy. There is no distinctive feature on imaging that can predict its occurrence. Prognosis is grim, without effective management and a mean survival of 6.5 months after diagnosis.

The angiographic and clinical outcomes of intracranial aneurysms following irradiation in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma: A 13-year experience and literature review

Background and purposeIntracranial aneurysms are a known but rare complication of radiotherapy (RT). We reviewed the angiographic and clinical outcomes of intracranial aneurysms following RT in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), a malignancy endemic in Hong Kong. Materials and methodsThe clinical, angiographic and laboratory data was collected for nine NPC patients harboring fifteen intracranial aneurysms following RT, diagnosed between 1st January 2000 and 31st December 2012. ResultsThe median age at aneurysm diagnosis was 56 years with a male predilection (67%). The median latent period to diagnosis was nine years (0.3–30). Eight patients (89%) presented with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Nine aneurysms were located at the anterior circulation, and 14 were saccular in morphology. Of the treated aneurysms, eight underwent endovascular intervention and two were surgically clipped. Within a year, 50% of the treated aneurysms had recurred. Poor neurological outcome was noted. At two-year follow-up, the median score for modified Rankin score and Glasgow Outcome score was 5 and 2 respectively. The two-year mortality rate of patients with treated ruptured intracranial aneurysms was 50%. ConclusionCompared to previous studies, our irradiated NPC patients had higher mortality and morbidity rates after aneurysm rupture and a higher angiographic recurrence rate following treatment. Greater vigilance is required in the detection of post-treatment recurrence of these aneurysms due to the higher risk of rupture. The authors recommend dedicated screening of intracranial aneurysms by active surveillance in routine CT protocols or the addition of three-dimensional time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography in MR protocols.

Osteoradionecrosis of Jaw: An Institutional Experience.

Aims and Objectives:Osteoradionecrosis (ORN) of the jaw is a significant yet rare complication of radiotherapy (RT) associated with the management of head-and-neck malignancies. Recent decrease in the incidence of ORN following RT to the head and neck is being mainly attributed to refinement in RT techniques and improvement in our understanding of this morbid disease. The aim of this study is to assess the patients with ORN following head-and-neck RT to determine the various contributing risk factors involved in the development of ORN.Subjects and Methods:A retrospective data review from 2003 onward was conducted on the cases of ORN which presented to the Department of Dental and Oral Surgery, Christian Medical College, Vellore. Details of the patients with regard to the site of primary malignancy, type of treatment provided - RT alone or in combination of surgery and chemotherapy, dose of RT, presenting complaint, duration between the RT and presentation of ORN, and method of management considered were evaluated.Results:A total of 25 patients were evaluated. The average age of the 25 patients in our study was 58 years. Oropharynx (about 50%) was the leading site of primary malignancy. More than half of the patients in the study (52%) had undergone radical RT for the primary malignancy and all the patients were given >60 Gy dose of RT. About 48% of the patients in the study reported with pus discharge as their chief complaint. The average intervening time period from completion of RT to the presentation of ORN was 48 months. The mandibular alveolus was the most common site for ORN. Twelve of the 25 cases in the study were managed conservatively with only 3 patients requiring major resection.Conclusion:Due to its rare presentation, ORN still remains a challenge for the clinician in its management. Our study revealed that radical RT and concurrent chemo-RT for the oropharyngeal and base of the tongue malignancies have a higher risk of developing ORN. Patients subjected to the dose of RT above 60 Gy for head-and-neck malignancies have an increased risk of future ORN; henceforth, newer modality treatment like intensity-modulated RT regimen is recommended for such sites. Most of the patients in the study were satisfactorily managed of the symptoms with conservative modality treatment; hence, it is recommended to consider for surgical methods only in severe end-stage form of ORN.

1097 A Rare Complication of Radiation Therapy Following Pancreaticoduodenectomy Perfomed in a Patient With Pancreatic Cancer

1097 A Rare Complication of Radiation Therapy Following Pancreaticoduodenectomy Perfomed in a Patient With Pancreatic Cancer

A Case of Radiation Induced Osteosarcoma of Proximal Humerus in Undifferentiated Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Radiation-induced osteosarcomas (RIOS) after nasopharyngeal carcinomas are rare complication of radiotherapy and are associated with poor prognosis. Few cases are reported in the literature. Case report: We report a case of radiation-induced osteosarcoma involving the proximal humerus in a patient treated with radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) nine years ago. Surgical treatment could not be performed, and the patient received induction chemotherapy. He died from disease spread after three cycles. Conclusion: RIOS after treatment of NPC is very aggressive complication. Only a regular follow up of treated patient allow early detection of these tumors and best chances of survival.

Incidence of CNS Injury for a Cohort of 111 Patients Treated With Proton Therapy for Medulloblastoma: LET and RBE Associations for Areas of Injury

Central nervous system (CNS) injury is a rare complication of radiation therapy for pediatric brain tumors, but its incidence with proton radiation therapy (PRT) is less well defined. Increased linear energy transfer (LET) and relative biological effectiveness (RBE) at the distal end of proton beams may influence this risk. We report the incidence of CNS injury in medulloblastoma patients treated with PRT and investigate correlations with LET and RBE values. We reviewed 111 consecutive patients treated with PRT for medulloblastoma between 2002 and 2011 and selected patients with clinical symptoms of CNS injury. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings for all patients were contoured on original planning scans (treatment change areas [TCA]). Dose and LET distributions were calculated for the treated plans using Monte Carlo system. RBE values were estimated based on LET-based published models. At a median follow-up of 4.2 years, the 5-year cumulative incidence of CNS injury was 3.6% for any grade and 2.7% for grade 3+. Three of 4 symptomatic patients were treated with a whole posterior fossa boost. Eight of 10 defined TCAs had higher LET values than the target but statistically nonsignificant differences in RBE values (P=.12). Central nervous system and brainstem injury incidence for PRT in this series is similar to that reported for photon radiation therapy. The risk of CNS injury was higher for whole posterior fossa boost than for involved field. Although no clear correlation with RBE values was found, numbers were small and additional investigation is warranted to better determine the relationship between injury and LET.

Radiation Colitis of the Hepatic Flexure: A Rare Complication of Radiotherapy for Portal Vein Thrombosis Associated with Hepatoma

Radiation colitis is a common side effect of radiotherapy for cervical, bladder, prostate and ovarian cancer, and the rectosigmoid colon is the most commonly involved anatomical area. Here, we report a rare case of radiation colitis, involving the transverse colon, following radiotherapy for portal vein thrombosis associated with hepatoma. The patient presented with acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Successful endoscopic therapy with argon plasma coagulation resulted in hemostasis. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of this rare complication in the literature.

Occipital diploic cranial fasciitis after radiotherapy for a cerebellar medulloblastoma

Radiation-induced cranial fasciitis is a rare complication of radiotherapy, especially in an intradiploic location. The authors report such a case of cranial fasciitis in a 13-year-old girl previously subjected to cranial radiotherapy for a recurrent cerebellar medulloblastoma. The patient had undergone a gross-total removal of a medulloblastoma followed by no radiation therapy at the age of 10 years. The tumor recurred at the original site 2 years later, warranting a repeat operation with a gross-total tumor removal and subsequent radiation therapy. The follow-up MRI sequence demonstrated no abnormal appearance for 1 year, until a new enhancing mass was found within the occipital bone adjacent to the prior bone window. Following its resection, the new lesion was histologically identified as cranial fasciitis. Differential diagnosis of a well-circumscribed bone lesion should include cranial fasciitis, especially in young children with radiotherapy for a previous intracranial malignancy. Radiotherapy should be considered among the inciting factors in the development of cranial fasciitis. The osteolytic lesions of cranial fasciitis, although nontumoral and self-limited in duration, should be eligible candidates for early, total resection to avoid potential intracranial expansion.

Postirradiation Morphea: A Case Report With a Review of the Literature and Summary of the Clinicopathologic Differential Diagnosis.

: Postirradiation morphea is a rare complication of radiation therapy which often presents as an erythematous indurated plaque and may be mistaken for recurrent or metastatic carcinoma. Histologic examination is essential for distinguishing postirradiation morphea from malignant processes and from other types of radiation dermatitis and infectious cellulitis. We report a case of postirradiation morphea and review the postirradiation morphea literature. In addition, we summarize the clinical and histopathologic characteristics of the various forms of postirradiation skin disease, including postirradiation morphea; acute, subacute, and chronic radiation dermatitis; and radiation recall dermatitis.