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Increased risk of salivary gland tumors after low‐dose irradiation
Author(s) -
Modan Baruch,
Chetrit Angela,
Alfandary Esther,
Tamir Ar,
Lusky Ayala,
Wolf Michael,
Shpilberg Ofer
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1097/00005537-199807000-00026
Subject(s) - medicine , head and neck cancer , scalp , cohort , incidence (geometry) , cancer , population , latency stage , salivary gland , physiology , oncology , surgery , physics , environmental health , optics
Objective : To assess the risk of neoplastic development among persons exposed to scalp irradiation. Study Design : Historical cohort study initially; prospective follow‐up subsequently. Method : Two control groups—population and siblings—matched for age, sex, ethnic origin, and year of immigration. Follow‐up from time of irradiation (1950s) until the end of 1991. Linkage with nationwide cancer registry. Results : A 4.5–fold incidence of cancer ( P < .01) and a 2.6–fold increase of benign tumors were noted. The mean length of latency period until tumor development was 11 years for malignant tumors and 21.5 years for benign. A clear dose response effect for both cancer and benign tumors was demonstrated. Conclusions : The study confirms the role of radiation in salivary gland carcinogenesis. It indicates a need for better awareness, a comprehensive examination, and long‐term follow‐up of patients who have been subjected to head and neck radiation.