Radiation damage to brain and cranial soft tissues: outcome and incidence before and after reduction in dose

Abstract

The outcome and incidence of radiation damage to brain and cranial soft tissues was studied for two successive periods in our institution and related to radiation dose. All but two patients who suffered pathologically documented cerebral radionecrosis during the first period died as a result; none who sustained radiation injury to cranial soft tissues died as a result of these injuries but all suffered considerable morbidity. The incidence of cerebral radionecrosis fell from 5% during the first period to 0% during the second and the incidence of radiation injury to cranial soft tissues fell from 21% to 9%. The reduction in radiation damage to the brain and cranial soft tissues coincided with improved treatment planning the greater use of high energy x-rays and a reduction in radiation dose.