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RADIATION OF THE HEAD LEADS TO CNS CANCERS.

The relation between ionizing radiation and leukemia and some solid tumors is well established, but neural tissue is thought to be relatively resistant to carcinogenesis from radiation. Not so according to this study of 10,834 Israelis who received radiation to the head as children about 30 years ago. These subjects were compared with the same number of control subjects from the general population and 5392 siblings; both groups had not received radiation.

Compared with controls and siblings, the relative risks for the subjects who had received radiation during childhood were 6.9 for all tumors, 8.4 for tumors of the head and neck, 9.5 for meningiomas, and 18.8 for nerve sheath tumors. A strong dose-response relationship was found.

Many of the patients had received radiation for "indications" we would question today, such as tinea capitis and enlarged tonsils, and some had repeated full-mouth dental x-rays. Nevertheless, this study again points out the malignant potential of the indiscriminate use of radiation for therapeutic purposes.

— ALK

Published in Journal Watch General Medicine October 25, 1988

Citation(s):

Ron E; Modan B; Boice J D, Jr et al. Tumors of the brain and nervous system after radiotherapy in childhood. N Engl J Med 1988 Oct 20 319 1033-1039.

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