complications

Last reviewed 01/2018

Conditions:

  • erythema - peaks at 3 weeks, lasts till 7 weeks

  • desquamation - occurring at 4 to 6 weeks, heals if aseptic

  • dusky mauve erythema, ischaemia with necrosis - 10 to 16 weeks, irreversible, dermal structure destroyed, infected. A small area may heal with invasive fibrosis, but otherwise grafting is needed.

  • similar problems in lungs - radiation pneumonitis - 3 to 6 months, 12 months fibrosis

  • radiation enteritis

  • radiation myelopathy