Open AccessFat Chance: The Rejuvenation of Irradiated Skin
Author(s) -
Mimi R. Borrelli,
Ronak A. Patel,
Jan Sokol,
Dung Nguyen,
Arash Momeni,
Michael T. Longaker,
Derrick C. Wan
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
plastic and reconstructive surgery. global open
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.759
H-Index - 28
ISSN - 2169-7574
DOI - 10.1097/gox.0000000000002092
Subject(s) - medicine , collateral damage , dermis , radiodermatitis , fibrosis , radiation therapy , subcutaneous fat , dermatology , rejuvenation , modalities , pathophysiology , treatment modality , pathology , surgery , adipose tissue , social science , criminology , sociology
Summary: Radiotherapy (RT) helps cure and palliate thousands of patients with a range of malignant diseases. A major drawback, however, is the collateral damage done to tissues surrounding the tumor in the radiation field. The skin and subcutaneous tissue are among the most severely affected regions. Immediately following RT, the skin may be inflamed, hyperemic, and can form ulcers. With time, the dermis becomes progressively indurated. These acute and chronic changes cause substantial patient morbidity, yet there are few effective treatment modalities able to reduce radiodermatitis. Fat grafting is increasingly recognized as a tool able to reverse the fibrotic skin changes and rejuvenate the irradiated skin. This review outlines the current progress toward describing and understanding the cellular and molecular effects of fat grafting in irradiated skin. Identification of the key factors involved in the pathophysiology of fibrosis following RT will inform therapeutic interventions to enhance its beneficial effects.