J Korean Med Assoc.  2015 Sep;58(9):801-808. 10.5124/jkma.2015.58.9.801.

Radiation ulcers and other chronic wounds

• Hwang NH
• Chung JH
• Kim DW

• KMID: 2195092
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2015.58.9.801

Abstract

Radiation ulcers are wounds caused by acute or chronic effects of ionizing radiation. The injury may involve the skin, underlying soft tissue, and even deeper into bones. Radiation is used alone or in combination with surgery and chemotherapy. Although it is useful to affect tumor death, it also exerts a deleterious effect on surrounding normal tissues. These effects are either acute or can manifest months or years after the treatment. The chronic wounds are a result of impaired wound healing. This impairment leads to fibrosis, nonhealing ulcers, lymphedema and radionecrosis amongst others.

Keyword

Radiotherapy; Radiation; Radiation damage; Wounds and injuries

MeSH Terms

Drug Therapy
Fibrosis
Lymphedema
Radiation, Ionizing
Radiotherapy
Skin
Ulcer*
Wound Healing
Wounds and Injuries*