[Histopathological study of the esophageal injury induced by high-dose-rate intracavitary irradiation. Experimental study on the rabbits].
Despite the effectiveness of the intracavitary irradiation as the boost therapy for the esophageal cancer, the side effect of the normal part of the esophagus has not been studied enough. The purpose of this study is to investigate the histopathological responses of the rabbit esophagus to the high-dose-rate intracavitary irradiation. Esophageal ulcer was observed in the specimen received a dose of 15 Gy during 7 to 28 days after irradiation. Before the mucosal changes were observed, edema and cell infiltration were found in lamina propria. Chronic injury such as necrosis and degeneration of epithelium, and degeneration of the wall of blood vessels was seen at 6 months. No marked changes were found in the specimen received doses of 5 and 10 Gy. The influences of administration of mucosal protection agent and cancer chemotherapeutic drug were also studied. Administration of mucosal protection agent protected the occurrence of severe ulcer and accelerated the recovery from mucosal damage. Administration of cancer chemotherapeutic agent enhanced the radiation injury by the intracavitary irradiation of the esophagus. In conclusion, it was strongly suggested that a single dose of the high-dose-rate intracavitary irradiation should be reduced less than 10 Gy to prevent the esophagus from severe injury.
Soejima
T
T
Department of Radiology, Kobe University School of Medicine.
D000818:Animals; D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D004947:Esophagus / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D011817:Rabbits; D011833:Radiation Injuries, Experimental / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage