Secondary Malignant Diseases Related to Radiotherapy: Scientific Letter

Early diagnosis, novel developments in therapeutic options and supportive measures increase the rates of cancer survivors. Widespread use of cancer treatments also increase the incidence of early or late side effects of these treatments. Radiotherapy (RT) is being widely utilized for curative and palliative treament of cancer patients in primary and adjuvant forms. Secondary malignant diseases are one of the most serious long term side effects of radiation. Cancers secondary to radiation are usually seen 10 years after exposition. Therefore, studies evaluating cancers secondary to RT were usually conducted in large series in which cure was achieved as well as long term survival, such as cases with Hodgkin lymphoma, seminoma and cervical cancer. An increased incidence of secondary cancer has been reported in patients who had RT compared to ones who did not. Secondary malignant diseases were also reported in patients who exposed to radiation in the past for treatment of non neoplastic diseases such as tinea capitis, tonsillary enlargement and thymic hyperplasia. Current review evaluates the malignant diseases secondary to radiation.