The role of botulinum toxin type A in the radiation fibrosis syndrome: a preliminary report.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the use of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) in radiation fibrosis syndrome (RFS).


METHODS
Retrospective case series.


METHODS
A large tertiary care cancer center.


METHODS
Twenty-three consecutive patients treated for sequelae of RFS with BTX-A.


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
A description of the components of RFS thought to benefit from BTX-A injections and the patient's self-report of benefit from those injections.


RESULTS
The sequelae of RFS for which BTX-A injection was thought to be indicated include radiation-induced cervical dystonia in 18 (78%), trigeminal nerve or cervical plexus neuralgia in 10 (43%), trismus in 7 (30%), migraine in 3 (13%), and thoracic pain in 1 (4%) patient. Most (87%) patients self-reported benefit from the injections.


CONCLUSIONS
Initial clinical experience with the use of BTX-A as adjunctive treatment for select neuromuscular and musculoskeletal complications of RFS in a variety of cancer patients has been encouraging. Well-designed prospective studies are needed to clarify the potential beneficial role of BTX-A in specific sequelae of RFS.
Stubblefield
Michael D
MD
Department of Neurology, Rehabilitation Medicine Service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10021, USA. stubblem@mskcc.org
Levine
Aaron
A
Custodio
Christian M
CM
Fitzpatrick
Theresa
T
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005355:Fibrosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014103:Torticollis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A