Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-r5fsc Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-24T16:37:34.411Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Radiation-induced tumours of the head and neck

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

B. F. A. M. van der Laan
Affiliation:
Departments of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck SurgeryThe Netherlands Cancer Institute(Antoni van Leeuwenhoekhuis), Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
G. BARIS
Affiliation:
Departments of Radiotherapy. The Netherlands Cancer Institute(Antoni van Leeuwenhoekhuis), Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
R. Th. Gregor
Affiliation:
Departments of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck SurgeryThe Netherlands Cancer Institute(Antoni van Leeuwenhoekhuis), Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
F. J. M. Hilgers
Affiliation:
Departments of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck SurgeryThe Netherlands Cancer Institute(Antoni van Leeuwenhoekhuis), Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
A. J. M. Balm*
Affiliation:
Departments of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck SurgeryThe Netherlands Cancer Institute(Antoni van Leeuwenhoekhuis), Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
*
Address for correspondence: Dr A. J. M. Balm, Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, The Netherlands Cancer Institute (Antoni van Leeuwenhoekhuis), Plesmanlaan 121, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Abstract

In order to study the induction of malignancy in normal tissues due to ionizing radiation, we reviewed the files of 2500 patients with a tumour of the head and neck treated at the Netherlands Cancer Institute (Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Ziekenhuis), Amsterdam, from 1977 to 1993. We then checked whether or not these patients had been previously irradiated. Patients with a thyroid carcinoma or skin cancer were excluded from the study, since it is generally known that previous irradiation is a risk factor in these tumours. Eighteen patients were found to have a malignancy within a previously irradiated area (0.70 per cent). The mean interval between radiation and diagnosis of the head and neck tumour was 36.5 years. There were five soft tissue sarcomas, nine squamous cell carcinomas and four salivary gland tumours. Fourteen patients were operated upon whereas four received palliative treatment only. The median survival of the total group was 3.5 years. Particularly. in young patients because of the better cancer therapy and prolonged survival one must be aware of the increased risk of radiation-induced tumours.

Type
Oncology in Focus
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1995

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Amendola, B. E., Amendola, M. A., McClatchey, K. D. (1985) Radiation-induced carcinoma of the larynx. Surgery, Gynecotogy and Obstetrics 161: 3032.Google ScholarPubMed
Coia, L. R., Fazekas, J. T., Kramer, S. (1980) Postirradiation sarcoma of the head and neck: a report of three late sarcomas following therapeutic irradiation for primary malignancies of the paranasal sinus, nasal cavity, and larynx. Cancer 46: 19821985.3.0.CO;2-C>CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Coleman, C. N. (1982) Secondary neoplasms in patients treated for cancer; etiology and perspective. Radiation Research 92: 188200.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Donohue, W. L., Jaffe, F. A., Rewcastle, N. B. (1967) Radiation-induced neurofibromata. Cancer 20: 589595.3.0.CO;2-3>CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Eisenbud, L., Selub, L., Sciubba, J. (1982) Radiation-induced pseudosarcoma of the tongue. Oral Surgery 53: 6468.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Fleming, I. D., Black, T. L., Thompson, E. I., Pratt, C., Rao, B., Hustu, O. (1985) Thyroid dysfunction and neoplasia in children receiving neck irradiation for cancer. Cancer 55: 11901194.3.0.CO;2-6>CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Gane, N. F. C., Lindup, R., Strickland, P., Bennett, M. H. (1970) Radiation-induced fibrosarcoma. British Journat of Cancer 24: 705711.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Glaubiger, D. L., Casler, J. D., Garrett, W. L., Yuo, H. S., LillisHearne, P. K. (1991) Chondrosarcoma of the larynx after radiation treatment for vocal cord cancer. Cancer 68: 18281831.3.0.CO;2-L>CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Glaumer, R. (1949) Behandlung enzfindlicher erkrankungen mit rontgenstraheln. In Die Stralentherapie. (Meyer, H., Matthes, K., eds.). George Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart, pp 294322.Google Scholar
Griem, K. L., Robb, P. K., Caldarelli, D. D., Templeton, A. C. (1989) Radiation-induced sarcoma of the thyroid. Archives of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery 115: 991993.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hall, P. F. L. (1991) Cancer risks after medical radiation. Medical Oncology and Tumor Pharmacotherapy 8: 141145.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kumar, P. P., Newland, J. R. (1980) Radiation oncogenesis. Journal of the National Medical Association 72: 687690.Google ScholarPubMed
Liddington, M. I., Harrison, R. F, Path, M. R. C., Booth, A. P., Das Gupta, A. R. (1992) Radiation-induced antrochoanal fibrosarcoma. Journal of Laryngology and Otology 106: 547548.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Maisel, R. H., Carlos Manivel, J., Porto, D. P., Stanley, M. (1989) Postirradiation sarcomas of the head and neck. Ear, Nose and Throat Journal 68: 684701.Google ScholarPubMed
Maisel, R. H., Case, M. (1992) Squamous cell carcinoma after childhood radiation to the nasopharynx. Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery 107: 783786.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Narula, A. A., Vallis, M. P., El-Silimy, O. F., Dowling, F.Bradley, P. J. (1986) Radiation-induced angiosarcomas of the nasopharynx. European Journal of Surgical Oncology 12: 147152.Google ScholarPubMed
Parker, R. G. (1990) Radiation-induced cancer as a factor in clinical decision making (the 1989 Astro Gold Medal Address). International Journal of Radiation Oncology and Biological Physics 18: 9931000.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Rennie, J. S., McLay, A., Tanner, N. S. B. (1983) Post-irradiation sarcoma of the lower lip. Journal of Laryngology and Otology 97: 871875.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Robinson, E., Neugut, A. I. (1990) The clinical behavior of radiation-induced thyroid cancer in patients with prior Hodgkin's disease. Radiotherapy and Oncology 17: 109113.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Schindel, J., Castoriano, I. M. (1972) Late-appearing (radiation-induced) carcinoma. Archives of Otolaryngology 95: 205210.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Spiegel, J., Bogdasarian, R. S. (1985) Retropharyngeal fibrosarcoma following radiation therapy for Hodgkin's lymphoma of the neck. Head and Neck Surgery 93: 274277.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
SLeeves, R. A., Bataini, J. P. (1981) Neoplasms induced by megavoltage radiation in the head and neck region. Cancer 47: 17701774.3.0.CO;2-7>CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Stein, M., Lachter, J., Rennert, G., Bartal, A., Kuten, A. (1991) Thyroid cancer and multiple primary malignancies in Israel. Journal of Surgical Oncology 47: 221224.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Strauss, M. (1983) Long-term complications of radiotherapy confronting the head and neck surgeon. Laryngoscope 93: 310313.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Tucker, M. A. (1993) Secondary cancers. In Cancer: Principles and Practice of Oncology. 4th Edition. Vol. 2, (Devita, V. T. Jr., Hellman, S., Rosenberg, S. A., eds.), J. B. Lippincott Co., Philadelphia, pp 24072416.Google Scholar
United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation: Source. Effects and Risks of ionizing Radiation (1988), United Nations, New York.Google Scholar
Van Leeuwen, F. E., Somers, R., Taal, B. G., Van Heerde, P., Coster, B., Dozeman, T., Huisman, S. J., Hart, A. A. M. (1989) Increased risk of lung cancer, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and leukemia following Hodgkin's disease. Journal of Clinical Oncology 7: 10461058.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Van Leeuwen, F. E., Klokman, W. J., Hagenbeek, A., Noyon, R., Van de Belt-Dusebout, A. W., Van Kerkhoff, E. H. M., Van Heerde, P., Somers, R. (1994) Second cancer risk following Hodgkin's disease: a 20 year follow-up study. Journal of Clinical Oncology 12: 312325.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Van der Plaats, G. J. (1953) De biologische stralenwerking en bestralingsmethodes Medische Rontgentechniek. De Tijdstroom, Lochem, pp 185–265.Google Scholar
Watkin, G. T., Hobsley, M. (1986) Should radiotherapy be used routinely in the management of benign parotid tumours? British Journal of Surgery 73: 601603.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Weshler, Z., Wiesel, J. M., Gay, I., Sherman, J. (1983) Radiation-induced carcinoma of the middle ear. American Journal of Otology 5: 810.Google ScholarPubMed