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Review
. 2012 Sep 24:7:162.
doi: 10.1186/1748-717X-7-162.

Wound healing after radiation therapy: review of the literature

Frank Haubner  1 , Elisabeth Ohmann, Fabian Pohl, Jürgen Strutz, Holger G Gassner
Affiliations
Review

Wound healing after radiation therapy: review of the literature

Frank Haubner et al. Radiat Oncol. .

Abstract

Radiation therapy is an established modality in the treatment of head and neck cancer patients. Compromised wound healing in irradiated tissues is a common and challenging clinical problem. The pathophysiology and underlying cellular mechanisms including the complex interaction of cytokines and growth factors are still not understood completely. In this review, the current state of research regarding the pathomechanisms of compromised wound healing in irradiated tissues is presented. Current and possible future treatment strategies are critically reviewed.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Clinical case of a 55-year-old male, six months after primary radiochemotherapy due to an advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx. Skin atrophy and soft tissue necrosis were observed 8 weeks after the completion of therapy.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Schematic concept of wound healing. Adapted from Hunt TK [8].
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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