Radiation induced fibrosis : good resource ?

Hi,

I have been trying to find a really good resource to read on radiation
therapy induced fibrosis. Can handle something at a modestly deep technical
level, I think. I'd like something that really explains the long-term
implications (or any therapeutic regiemes for) development of fibrosis
post-RT.

I have yet to find something specific to oropharyngeal cancers.

I think I've learned more here, on ASC, thanks to Janet's and J.'s posts,
and many others of you, than anywhere else

Just in case you know of a really good book or article on-line ...

thanks ! Uncle Sally

"Uncle Sally" <uncleSally@auldUncleSally.com> wrote in message
news:vcdTi.38412$e72.18045@fe07.news.easynews.com. ..
> Hi,
>
> I have been trying to find a really good resource to read on radiation
> therapy induced fibrosis. Can handle something at a modestly deep
> technical
> level, I think. I'd like something that really explains the long-term
> implications (or any therapeutic regiemes for) development of fibrosis
> post-RT.
>
> I have yet to find something specific to oropharyngeal cancers.
>
> I think I've learned more here, on ASC, thanks to Janet's and J.'s posts,
> and many others of you, than anywhere else
>
> Just in case you know of a really good book or article on-line ...
>
> thanks ! Uncle Sally
>

Here are some links
> http://findarticles.com/p/articles/m...83/ai_n6355700

http://patients.uptodate.com/topic.a...ad_ther/5160#9

http://www.amjclinicaloncology.com/p...195629!8091!-1

What exactly are you looking for?

Alex

Uncle Sally wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I have been trying to find a really good resource to read on radiation
> therapy induced fibrosis. Can handle something at a modestly deep technical
> level, I think. I'd like something that really explains the long-term
> implications (or any therapeutic regiemes for) development of fibrosis
> post-RT.
>
> I have yet to find something specific to oropharyngeal cancers.
>
> I think I've learned more here, on ASC, thanks to Janet's and J.'s posts,
> and many others of you, than anywhere else
>
> Just in case you know of a really good book or article on-line ...
>
> thanks ! Uncle Sally
>
>
>
Uncle Sally,

I admit I really don't know what radiation induce fibrosis is, but on a
follow-up appointment with the surgeon who operated on me for head and
neck cancer, I mentioned that I was having difficulty swallowing. He
suggested that the next time he did a endoscopy/biopsy (which he
schedules every 5 months or so), he would check things out.

After that procedure, he commented that I had a condition similar to
(but not the same as?) scar tissue on my esophagus due to the radiation
therapy. He said that he used a slightly larger "hose" to dilate the
esophagus, and I have to admit it helped a little, though I still have
some difficulty swallowing.

David A.

"Uncle Sally" <uncleSally@auldUncleSally.com> wrote in message
news:vcdTi.38412$e72.18045@fe07.news.easynews.com. ..
> Hi,
>
> I have been trying to find a really good resource to read on radiation
> therapy induced fibrosis. Can handle something at a modestly deep
> technical
> level, I think. I'd like something that really explains the long-term
> implications (or any therapeutic regiemes for) development of fibrosis
> post-RT.
>
> I have yet to find something specific to oropharyngeal cancers.
>
> I think I've learned more here, on ASC, thanks to Janet's and J.'s posts,
> and many others of you, than anywhere else
>
> Just in case you know of a really good book or article on-line ...
>
> thanks ! Uncle Sally
>
>
>

First, know your enemy.
Cancers do a lot of damage to the local normal tissues. When a surgeon cuts
a cancer out, and puts in a graft, or sews the edges of the wound together,
healing is by "primary intention". When radiation cures a large cancer, the
hole left heals by secondary intention.......that is, by fibrosis and scar
tissue. That is what is commonly referred to as "radiation fibrosis". True
radiation fibrosis does exist, but is much less common.

What is ten treatment? There is some evidence that true radiation fibrosis
is at least in part mediated by poor tissue microvasculatuer, so drugs which
improve tissue oxygenation may help.

Beyond that, the best management is physiotherapy.

Steph wrote:

> "Uncle Sally" <uncleSally@auldUncleSally.com> wrote in message
> news:vcdTi.38412$e72.18045@fe07.news.easynews.com. ..
> > Hi,
> >
> > I have been trying to find a really good resource to read on radiation
> > therapy induced fibrosis. Can handle something at a modestly deep
> > technical
> > level, I think. I'd like something that really explains the long-term
> > implications (or any therapeutic regiemes for) development of fibrosis
> > post-RT.
> >
> > I have yet to find something specific to oropharyngeal cancers.
> >
> > I think I've learned more here, on ASC, thanks to Janet's and J.'s posts,
> > and many others of you, than anywhere else
> >
> > Just in case you know of a really good book or article on-line ...
> >
> > thanks ! Uncle Sally
> >
> >
> >
>
> First, know your enemy.
> Cancers do a lot of damage to the local normal tissues. When a surgeon cuts
> a cancer out, and puts in a graft, or sews the edges of the wound together,
> healing is by "primary intention". When radiation cures a large cancer, the
> hole left heals by secondary intention.......that is, by fibrosis and scar
> tissue. That is what is commonly referred to as "radiation fibrosis". True
> radiation fibrosis does exist, but is much less common.
>
> What is ten treatment? There is some evidence that true radiation fibrosis
> is at least in part mediated by poor tissue microvasculatuer, so drugs which
> improve tissue oxygenation may help.
>
> Beyond that, the best management is physiotherapy.

The anatomical landmarks have changed..
He's got a hole (or indent) where pills or food gets trapped.
Would a videofluroscopy help a physiotherapist or speech pathologist understand
the mechanism of what's happening (or how to change his body position and
swallowing) when he swallows?
How long does it take for the indent to fill in?
Are the medicines to be taken during the healing or after a certain period?
There's been clinical trials of pentoxifylline (PTX) and Vitamin E.
J

Uncle Sally wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I have been trying to find a really good resource to read on radiation
> therapy induced fibrosis. Can handle something at a modestly deep technical
> level, I think. I'd like something that really explains the long-term
> implications (or any therapeutic regiemes for) development of fibrosis
> post-RT.
>
> I have yet to find something specific to oropharyngeal cancers.
>
> I think I've learned more here, on ASC, thanks to Janet's and J.'s posts,
> and many others of you, than anywhere else
>
> Just in case you know of a really good book or article on-line ...
>
> thanks ! Uncle Sally

This is 32 pages http://i.cmpnet.com/cancernetwork/ha...f/44radtox.pdf
If you see suggestions there, please ask (Steph) first.
J