| Causes of Scleroderma (MAIN MENU) |
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Radiation and Scleroderma |
| This page was written by Shelley Ensz and has not yet been medically edited. |
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| What is Radiation? |
| What is Radiation Therapy? Radiation therapy uses ionizing radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. About half of all people with cancer are treated with radiation therapy, either alone or in combination with other types of cancer treatment. Radiation therapy may be external or internal. External radiation, the type most often used, comes from a machine outside the body, and is usually given on an outpatient basis. Internal radiation is implanted into or near the tumor in small capsules or other containers. National Cancer Institute. |
| Immune System and Radiation |
| The Immune System and Radiation This article clearly explains many aspects of radiation exposure, including the differences between high dose and low dose radiation exposure, and the effects on the immune system. Hanford Health Information Network. |
| What is Scleroderma? |
| What is Scleroderma? Scleroderma (sklare-oh-derma) means "hard skin." This complex disease involves tightening and thickening of the skin, blood vessel damage, inflammation and immune system changes. ISN. |
| Radiation and Scleroderma |
| There is an increased rate of cancer among scleroderma patients. Furthermore, scleroderma patients have an increased sensitivity to radiation treatments. In addition, radiation can cause scleroderma including Radiation Port Scleroderma. |
| Radiation Complications in Scleroderma Patients |
| There is an increased rate of cancer among scleroderma patients, and furthermore scleroderma patients have an increased sensitivity to radiation treatments. |
| Scleroderma and Cancer Systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) may be associated with an increased incidence of cancer, including breast cancer, B-cell lymphoma, lung cancer and tongue cancer. ISN. |
| Matched-control retrospective study of the acute and late complications in patients with collagen vascular diseases treated with radiation therapy. There was a higher incidence of radiation complications in patients with scleroderma. Importantly, no fatal complication was noted in any of the patients with collagen vascular diseases (CVD). PubMed. Cancer J. 2003 Nov-Dec;9(6):461-6. |
| Clinical Features Associated with Breast and Lung Cancer in Systemic Sclerosis. Only 2 of 9 scleroderma patients with breast cancer that were treated with radiation therapy had problems: one was intense burning and the other generalized thickening of the chest wall. Editorial Comment: This experience suggests that severe radiation reactions do not always occur in scleroderma and radiation therapy may be used as an alternative to mastectomy. Virginia D Steen, Thomas A Medsger, Jr., Abstract 375, 2002 ACR. (Also see: Scleroderma and Cancer) |
| Abstract: The Effect of Nonmalignant Systemic Disease on Tolerance to Radiation Therapy. Collagen vascular disease (CVD) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are considered relative contraindications for radiotherapy. Common diseases, like diabetes mellitus and hypertension, also represent management quandaries inasmuch as some reports also implicate these prevalent diseases with reduced tolerance to radiotherapy. Although the literature is sparse and retrospective in nature, the association of these diseases with radiation tolerance should no longer be regarded as anecdotal. The Oncologist, Vol. 7, No. 2, 136-143, April 2002. |
| Radiation Sensitivity. A variety of reports have been published that suggest a correlation between exaggerated reactions after radiotherapy and connective tissue diseases, especially scleroderma, systemic and discoid lupus erythematosus, and mixed connective tissue disease. AJR 2001; 177:3-11. |
| Radiation Port Scleroderma |
| Postirradiation morphea and subcutaneous polyarteritis nodosa: Case report and literature review. Postirradiation morphea is an uncommon condition but is being increasingly recognized. Related phenomena following radiation include postirradiation panniculitis and now postirradiation subcutaneous polyarteritis nodosa. Radiation may be responsible for inducing some of the pathogenic changes seen in scleroderma and other autoimmune diseases. PubMed. Semin Arthritis Rheum. 2005 Apr;34(5):728-34. (Also see: Causes of Morphea and Associated Conditions: PAN) |
| Morphea. Morphea may occur at the site of previous supervoltage radiation therapy for breast cancer and other cancers, developing from 1 month up to 32 years after irradiation. Michael Girardi, MD, Program Director, Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, Yale University School of Medicine. eMedicine, June 2003. (Also see: Morphea Scleroderma) |
| Personal Stories Regarding Radiation |
| Brian D. Jessop: Scleroderma I am a Vietnam Vet from 1968 to 1970. I am from the Agent Orange time on the Saigon River and the Macon Delta Rivers... |
| Carrie: CREST Syndrome All this started in 1995, as far as receiving any diagnosis. First, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I went through radiation and chemotherapy... |
| Dotty: Scleroderma, Sjögren's, Parotid Lymphoma I have taken control of my life and I just know there is a wonderful future for me... |
| Kym: Diffuse, CREST Scleroderma, Lupus and Fibromyalgia It all started with Raynaud's in my fingers and toes when I was about nineteen years old, in 1979... |
| Jennifer Weldon: Systemic Scleroderma/Stem Cell Transplant Patient I was put on a ventilator and complete life support. I had five open heart surgeries... |
| Rachel: Morphea Scleroderma I have learned to control the use of addicting medication and to manage the pain as well as possible... |
| Sharon: CREST with Limited Scleroderma, Sjögren's and Pulmonary Hypertension (Australia) Day by day I discover another food I cannot eat... |
| Sue Ann: Mother of Son with Scleredema Scleredema is an illness similar to scleroderma. It is also known as Scleredema Adultorum, Scleredema Adultorum of Buschke, Scleredema Diabeticorum, and Scleredema Diabeticorum of Buschke.. |
| Also see: Cancer and Scleroderma |
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