The tolerance of skin grafts to postoperative radiation therapy in patients with soft-tissue sarcoma

Journal Article · Sat Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1986 · Annals of Plastic Surgery; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1097/00000637-198603000-00004· OSTI ID:6868101

Lawrence, W T; Zabell, A; McDonald, H D ^[1]

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1. National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD (USA)

During the last ten years at the National Cancer Institute, 11 patients have received 12 courses of postoperative adjuvant radiation therapy to skin grafts used for wound closure after the resection of soft-tissue sarcomas. The intervals between grafting and the initiation of radiation ranged between 3 and 20 weeks, and 4 patients received chemotherapy at the same time as their radiation. Ten of the 12 irradiated grafts remained intact after the completion of therapy. One graft had several small persistently ulcerated areas that required no further surgical treatment, and one graft required a musculocutaneous flap for reconstruction of a persistent large ulcer. Acute radiation effects on the grafted skin sometimes developed at slightly lower doses than usually seen with normal skin, but these acute effects necessitated a break in therapy on only five occasions. Concurrent chemotherapy and a relatively short interval between grafting and the initiation of radiation seemed to contribute to more severe radiation reactions. This experience indicates that postoperative adjuvant radiation therapy can be delivered to skin grafted areas without undue fear of complications, especially if the graft is allowed to heal adequately prior to initiating therapy and if chemotherapy is not given in conjunction with radiation.

• OSTI ID: 6868101
• Journal Information: Annals of Plastic Surgery; (USA), Journal Name: Annals of Plastic Surgery; (USA) Vol. 16:3; ISSN APCSD; ISSN 0148-7043
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560151* -- Radiation Effects on Animals-- Man
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
BODY
COMBINED THERAPY
DISEASES
GRAFTS
INJURIES
MEDICINE
NEOPLASMS
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ORGANS
PATIENTS
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATION INJURIES
RADIOLOGY
RADIOSENSITIVITY
RADIOTHERAPY
SARCOMAS
SIDE EFFECTS
SKIN
THERAPY
TRANSPLANTS