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Cataract incidence after total-body irradiation
D Zierhut1, F Lohr, P Schraube
1Department of Clinical Radiology, University of Heidelberg, Germany. dietmar_zierhut@med.uni-heidelberg.de
International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics
|February 3, 2000
Summary
Cataract is a common side effect following total-body irradiation (TBI). This study found a 32.9% incidence of cataract in patients undergoing TBI and stem cell transplantation, comparable to other centers.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Ophthalmology
- Radiotherapy
Background:
- Hematological malignancies often require intensive treatment regimens.
- Total-body irradiation (TBI) followed by stem cell transplantation is a standard therapeutic approach.
- Cataract is a known potential complication of radiation therapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the incidence of cataract in patients treated with TBI and autologous stem cell transplantation.
- To assess long-term ocular side effects in a homogeneously treated patient cohort.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 260 patients treated between 1982 and 1994.
- Focus on 209 patients who received hyperfractionated TBI (median 14.4 Gy).
- Ophthalmological examination and questionnaire data from 86 surviving patients with a median follow-up of 5.8 years.
Main Results:
- Cataract developed in 32.9% (28/85) of patients after a median of 47 months post-TBI.
- Median patient age at TBI was 38.5 years.
- No statistically significant difference in cataract incidence was observed based on prior whole-brain irradiation.
Conclusions:
- Cataract is a frequent adverse event after TBI.
- The observed cataract incidence aligns with findings from other institutions using fractionated TBI protocols.
- Long-term follow-up is crucial for accurately determining cataract incidence post-TBI.