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Radiation induced liver disease: is hereditary haemochromatosis a risk factor?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 November 2006

R. M. Laurie
Affiliation:
Dorevitch Pathology, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
M. W. T. Chao
Affiliation:
Western Private Hospital, Footscray, Victoria, Australia
C. A. Dow
Affiliation:
Western Private Hospital, Footscray, Victoria, Australia

Abstract

A 71-year-old man with Stage II gastric cancer developed rapid onset radiation induced liver disease after ceasing adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Autopsy revealed moderate hepatocellular iron overload. Posthumously, he was found to be a compound heterozygote for hereditary haemochromatosis. Since both radiation and iron overload may induce liver damage through the activation of hepatic stellate cells, it is possible that hepatocellular iron overload may potentiate the effects of irradiation and predispose the patient to radiation induced liver disease.

Type
Case Study
Copyright
2003 Cambridge University Press

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