Radiation-Induced Myocardial Fibrosis in Long-Term Esophageal Cancer Survivors

PurposeRadiation-induced cardiac toxicity is a potential lethal complication. The aim of this study was to assess whether there dose-dependent relationship between radiation dose and myocardial fibrosis in patients who received neoadjuvant chemoradiation (nCRT) for esophageal cancer (EC).Methods MaterialsForty with EC treated transthoracic esophagectomy (n = 20) or without nCRT (CROSS regimen) were included. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (1.5 Tesla) left ventricular (LV) function, late gadolinium enhancement, T1 mapping performed. Extracellular volume (ECV), as surrogate collagen burden, measured all LV segments separately. dose-response ECV mean per segment evaluated using mixed-model analysis.ResultsSeventeen 16 control suitable analysis. time after treatment 67.6 ± 8.1 122 35 (controls) months (P .02). In patients, we found significantly higher global 28.2% compared 24.0% the controls < .001). After nCRT, elevated had doses. addition, linear dose–effect relation 0.136% point increase each Gy There no differences function measures enhancement both groups.ConclusionsMyocardial long-term survivors surgery only. Moreover, segment, indicating radiation-induced fibrosis. Radiation-induced (EC). Forty Seventeen groups. Myocardial