Special feature—Late effects consensus conference
Radiation injury to the heart

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Abstract

For the RTOG Consensus Conference on Late Effects of Cancer Treatment we summarize the clinical manifestations of cardiac complications appearing months to years following incidental irradiation of the heart during treatment of thoracic neoplasms. The most common effects present as pericardial disease, however, it is becoming more clear that precocious or accelerated coronary artery disease is an important late effect, especially in patients treated with radiation before the age of 21 years. To the extent it is known, the pathophysiology of the various syndromes is described and the extensive literature on dose, volume, and fractionation factors is reviewed. Based upon our current understanding of late cardiac effects, a clinical grading system has been developed and is published elsewhere in this issue.

Keywords

Anthracycline
Heart
Atherosclerosis
Myocardium
Capillary
Pericardium
Coronary artery
Rabbit
Endothelial cell
Radiation
Fibrosis
Radiation injury
Radiation-induced heart disease
Coronary artery disease
Pericarditis

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