Radiation recall: A well recognized but neglected phenomenon

David Azria, Nicolas Magné*, Abderrahim Zouhair, Pierre Castadot, Stéphane Culine, Marc Ychou, Roger Stupp, Paul Van Houtte, Jean Bernard Dubois, Mahmut Ozsahin

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

159 Scopus citations

Abstract

Introduction: Radiation recall is an inflammatory skin reaction at a previously irradiated field subsequent to the administration of a variety of pharmacologic agents. Although skin has been the major site of radiation recall toxicity, instances involving other organ have been reported. Materials and methods: Data for this review were identified by searches of Medline and Cancerlit. The search terms "radiation", "recall", and "toxicity" were used. References identified from within retrieved articles were also used. There was no limitation on year of publication and no abstract forms were included. Only articles published in English were taken into consideration. Results: Idiosyncratic drug hypersensitivity phenomenon is a recent hypothesis which correlates best with the available facts at this moment. The phenomenon may occur days to years after radiotherapy has been completed. The majority of the drugs commonly used in cancer therapy have been involved in the radiation recall phenomenon. A mixed non-specific inflammatory infiltrate seems to be the common histopathologic criteria in previous published reports. Universally, corticosteroids or the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, in conjunction with withdrawal of the offending agent, produce prompt improvement. Conclusion: We propose to collect all future radiation recall phenomenon in a Rare Cancer Network database in order to augment our understanding of this rare reaction.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)555-570
Number of pages16
JournalCancer Treatment Reviews
Volume31
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2005

Keywords

  • Chemotherapy
  • Dermatitis recall phenomenon
  • Radiation
  • Rare cancer network
  • Side effects

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging

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