Radiation recall: a well recognized but neglected phenomenon.
BACKGROUND
Radiation recall is an inflammatory skin reaction at a previously irradiated field subsequent to the administration of a variety of pharmacologic agents. Although skin has been the major site of radiation recall toxicity, instances involving other organ have been reported.


METHODS
Data for this review were identified by searches of Medline and Cancerlit. The search terms "radiation", "recall", and "toxicity" were used. References identified from within retrieved articles were also used. There was no limitation on year of publication and no abstract forms were included. Only articles published in English were taken into consideration.


RESULTS
Idiosyncratic drug hypersensitivity phenomenon is a recent hypothesis which correlates best with the available facts at this moment. The phenomenon may occur days to years after radiotherapy has been completed. The majority of the drugs commonly used in cancer therapy have been involved in the radiation recall phenomenon. A mixed non-specific inflammatory infiltrate seems to be the common histopathologic criteria in previous published reports. Universally, corticosteroids or the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, in conjunction with withdrawal of the offending agent, produce prompt improvement.


CONCLUSIONS
We propose to collect all future radiation recall phenomenon in a Rare Cancer Network database in order to augment our understanding of this rare reaction.
Azria
David
D
Department of Radiation Oncology, Val d'Aurelle-Paul Lamarque Cancer Institute, Montpellier, France.
Magné
Nicolas
N
Zouhair
Abderrahim
A
Castadot
Pierre
P
Culine
Stéphane
S
Ychou
Marc
M
Stupp
Roger
R
Van Houtte
Paul
P
Dubois
Jean-Bernard
JB
Ozsahin
Mahmut
M
D006801:Humans; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D011855:Radiodermatitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors
D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents