title: Brachial plexus neuropathy following mantle radiotherapy.
abstract: We report two cases of presumed radiation-induced brachial plexus neuropathy in patients with lymphoma who were treated with standard mantle radiotherapy to a dose of 40 Gy in 20 fractions. Radiation-induced brachial plexopathy has not previously been reported following mantle irradiation at this dose. Both patients received chemotherapy in relapse. We postulate three possible causes: enhanced radiation sensitivity; an interaction between the chemotherapy and the radiotherapy; or an increased dose in axilla owing to a smaller separation at that point.
authors.affiliation: Northern Centre for Cancer Treatment, Newcastle General Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Wadd
authors.forename: H H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Lucraft
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001365:Axilla / Q000528:radiation effects; D001917:Brachial Plexus / Q000528:radiation effects*; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D008224:Lymphoma, Follicular / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000209:etiology; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy; D010292:Paresthesia / Q000209:etiology; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D011836:Radiation Tolerance; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000209:etiology