Related Experiment Videos
[Radiation-induced pericarditis. Long-term outcome. 45 cases with thoracotomy and biopsy]
1Hôpital Cardiologique, Lyon.
Presse Medicale (Paris, France : 1983)
|December 8, 1990
Summary
This study on 45 cancer patients found that thoracic irradiation often leads to severe pericarditis with poor long-term outcomes due to cardiac and pulmonary complications.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Oncology
- Pathology
Context:
- Investigates long-term outcomes of pericarditis following thoracic radiotherapy for cancer.
- Analyzes 45 symptomatic cases between 1970 and 1989 requiring surgical intervention.
- Excludes cases of recurrent mediastinal neoplasia.
Purpose:
- To determine the long-term prognosis and course of pericardial lesions after thoracic irradiation.
- To evaluate the impact of radiotherapy-induced pericarditis on patient survival and cardiorespiratory function.
Summary:
- 45 patients with post-thoracic irradiation pericarditis underwent thoracotomy for diagnosis and treatment (pericardial decortication or window creation).
- Surgical interventions addressed constrictive pericarditis (22 cases) and large pericardial effusions (23 cases).
- Histopathological examination of pericardium and fluid was performed.
Impact:
- High mortality rate (20 deaths) directly linked to radiotherapeutic complications (13 deaths) and cancer recurrence (5 deaths).
- Significant morbidity with 5 patients experiencing impaired cardiorespiratory function post-treatment.
- Highlights the severe long-term consequences of thoracic irradiation on the pericardium and surrounding structures.