Secondary neoplasms in patients treated for cancer: etiology and perspective. [X-ray]

Journal Article · Fri Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1982 · Radiat. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/3575854· OSTI ID:6325278

Coleman, C N

The exact risk of secondary neoplasms in patients treated for cancer is difficult to ascertain due to a nonspecific increased risk, a possible genetic or congenital predisposition, and tumor multicentricity. Second tumors now considered ''treatment-related'' may, in fact, be ''syndrome-related,'' as in the case with secondary osteosarcoma in patients with retinoblastoma. A wide variety of second tumors have been described with solid tumors having latency periods of 10 years and with leukemia 5 years. Recently secondary lymphomas have been reported in Hodgkin's disease patients which may be related to their altered immunity. The 10-year risk of developing second cancers in patients with Hodgkin's disease of pediatric malignancies is approximately 10%, but the risk for all newly diagnosed cancer patients is below 1%. Aggressive treatment has improved curability; however, prolonged administration of chemotherapy, especially alkylating agents, and the use of radiotherapy plus chemotherapy have been major risk factors in the current excess of second cancers. Carcinogenic treatment should be avoided; however, patient curability must not be compromised until less toxic treatments are proven to be equally effective.

• Research Organization: Stanford Univ. Medical Center, CA
• OSTI ID: 6325278
• Journal Information: Radiat. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: Radiat. Res.; (United States) Vol. 92:1; ISSN RAREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
CARCINOGENESIS
CHEMOTHERAPY
COLLOIDS
DISEASES
DISPERSIONS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ETIOLOGY
HEMIC DISEASES
IONIZING RADIATIONS
LEUKEMIA
MEDICINE
NEOPLASMS
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
PATHOGENESIS
PATIENTS
RADIATIONS
RADIOCOLLOIDS
RADIOINDUCTION
RADIOLOGY
RADIOTHERAPY
RISK ASSESSMENT
SIDE EFFECTS
THERAPY
X RADIATION