[Impact of thoracic irradiation on cardiac structures]

Cancer Radiother. 2022 May;26(3):526-536. doi: 10.1016/j.canrad.2021.08.022. Epub 2021 Oct 30.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Thoracic irradiation requires protection of the heart as an organ at risk of complications. The mean heart dose is the most studied dosimetric parameter in the literature. Recent studies question its relevance in view of the multiplicity of cardiac injuries, the heterogeneity of the cardiac dose distribution and the current technical possibilities to refine cardiac dosimetric protection. The objective of this literature review is to analyze the available scientific data on the impact of the dose received by the cardiac substructures. A search of articles using the PubMed search engine was used to select the most relevant studies. A total of 19 articles were selected according to pre-established criteria to answer the issue. Several studies found significant associations between dosimetric parameters of substructures and clinical cardiological impact. Some proposed dose constraints for substructures.

Keywords: Breast Cancer; Cancer du sein; Cancer pulmonaire; Cardiotoxicity; Cœur; Heart; Lung Cancer; Radiotherapy; Radiothérapie; Toxicité cardiaque.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Breast Neoplasms*
  • Female
  • Heart* / radiation effects
  • Humans
  • Radiometry
  • Radiotherapy Dosage