[Radiogenic effects on liver tissue]

In a review of literature the presented studies on radiogenic liver injuries are summarized. Whereas in the past the liver tissue was supposed to be radioresistant nearly completely, to newer knowledge this organ has to be classed with most radiosensitive tissues at all. The early picture of a liver injury in man is characterized by the veno-occlusive syndrome. Like in Budd-Chiari-Syndrome a congestion begins in the central veins and the centrolobular sinusoids, that has severest threatening consequences for the patients with extensive liver irradiation. The clinic picture is demonstrated. At present no suitable animal model exists for this disease yet. The presented pathological and electron microscopical findings do not allow any final estimation of the pathogenesis in this disease. The radiogenic late-effects are manifested in the liver in a centrolobular fibrosis, also starting from the Glisson's triangles, with cirrhotic reconstruction of liver architecture. The great compensatory power of the organ does not cause clinical pictures to be effected in radiotherapeutic practice with only partial liver irradiation in most cases. The dose-time-relation of the radiogenic hepatitis shows a very little alpha-/beta-value. With this the liver renders as typical late-effect tissue and should be spared effectively by choice of small single doses.