RADIATION-INDUCED HEART-DISEASE

The recent improvement in radiation techniques and the associated sign ificant prolongation of survival have resulted in a widespread utiliza tion of mediastinal irradiation in patients with various neoplasms. Ho wever, a large number of experimental and clinical studies have clearl y demonstrated that high-dose therapeutic mediastinal irradiation can produce delayed, severe cardiovascular disease. This review presents t he data from the Literature regarding the pathogenesis, pathology, pre valence and clinical manifestation of the radiation-related heart dise ase.