THE HEALING OF WOUNDS WITHIN IRRADIATED TISSUE

Journal Article · Tue May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1962 · Missouri Med.

OSTI ID:4072402

Spratt, Jr, J S; Sala, J M

The effect of ionizing irradiation, at doses used in radiotherapy of cancer, on tissues adjacent to the tumor is discussed, particularly with respect to healing and later surgical intervention. A survey of available data shows that as little as 500 r, single dose given preoperatively, reduces the rate of wound contraction and that any tissue receiving in excess of 1300 r from a single dose is subject to spontaneous necrosis. No proliferation of either lymph or blood capillaries occurs after wounding in mammalian tissue that has received previously more than 2000 r in a single dose. However, capillary regeneration occurs normally in tissues irradiated with single doses of l000 r or less. Following single doses of from 1000 to 2000 r, capillary regeneration occurs irregularly and the flow of red blood cells through these capillaries is slow. In addition, the capillaries in tissue receiving over 1000 r tend to rupture. Extensive lymph and blood capillary budding normally follows injury and infection in nonirradiated tissue, and inhibition of capillary budding by irradiation may contribute to necrosis and nonhealing of wounds within irradiated tissues. Knowledge of correlation of time-dose factors of preoperative irradiation with the ability of wounds to heal is necessary if increased mortality and morbidity from surgical procedures are to be avoided. A mid-pelvic dose of 4000 rad given by protracted therapy (3 to 4 weeks) seems compatible with postirradiation hysterectomy and lymphadenectomy, but when surgery is performed in pelves that have received 6000 rad or more (5 to 6 weeks) the frequency of complications rises precipitously. Important considerations before undertaking surgery in irradiated tissue are included. Radiotherapeutic factors that govern specific surgical restrictions are enumerated. (BBB)

• Research Organization: Ellis Fischel State Cancer Hospital, Columbia, Mo.
• NSA Number: NSA-18-015942
• OSTI ID: 4072402
• Journal Information: Missouri Med., Journal Name: Missouri Med. Vol. Vol: 59
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
BLOOD CIRCULATION
BLOOD VESSELS
CANCER
ERYTHROCYTES
INFECTIONS
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATION INJURIES
RADIOTHERAPY
REGENERATION
SURGERY
TISSUES