Sudden myelopathy secondary to therapeutic total-body hyperthermia after spinal-cord irradiation
Journal Article
·
· New Engl. J. Med.; (United States)
Hyperthermia is a new method of treatment receiving increasing clinical attention in cancer therapy. Its efficacy has been well demonstrated in animals, but its indications, contraindications, and appropriate place in cancer therapy have yet to be defined. We report three cases of acute myelopathy in patients undergoing hyperthermia after spinal-cord irradiation within the preceding two months. Post-mortem examination in one case revealed findings similar to those seen in myelopathy resulting from long-term irradiation. Several neurologic side effects have been reported previously with total-body hyperthermia - most commonly peripheral neuropathy, but not myelopathy. The mechanism of action of hyperthermia in cancer therapy (with or without prior irradiation) is unknown. The experience reported suggests that in some patients hyperthermia may potentiate radiation-induced damage to the spinal cord or otherwise interact to cause acute spinal-cord necrosis.
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of Mississippi, Jackson
- OSTI ID:
- 6565609
- Journal Information:
- New Engl. J. Med.; (United States), Journal Name: New Engl. J. Med.; (United States) Vol. 304:10; ISSN NEJMA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
550603* -- Medicine-- External Radiation in Therapy-- (1980-)
551000 -- Physiological Systems
560151 -- Radiation Effects on Animals-- Man
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
BODY TEMPERATURE
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
DISEASES
HYPERTHERMIA
IRRADIATION
LOCAL IRRADIATION
MEDICINE
MYELITIS
NEOPLASMS
NERVOUS SYSTEM
NERVOUS SYSTEM DISEASES
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
PATIENTS
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIOINDUCTION
RADIOLOGY
RADIOSENSITIVITY
RADIOSENSITIVITY EFFECTS
RADIOTHERAPY
SIDE EFFECTS
SPINAL CORD
THERAPY
551000 -- Physiological Systems
560151 -- Radiation Effects on Animals-- Man
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
BODY TEMPERATURE
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
DISEASES
HYPERTHERMIA
IRRADIATION
LOCAL IRRADIATION
MEDICINE
MYELITIS
NEOPLASMS
NERVOUS SYSTEM
NERVOUS SYSTEM DISEASES
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
PATIENTS
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIOINDUCTION
RADIOLOGY
RADIOSENSITIVITY
RADIOSENSITIVITY EFFECTS
RADIOTHERAPY
SIDE EFFECTS
SPINAL CORD
THERAPY