Unusual severe radiation-induced toxicity in a patient with discoid lupus erythematosus: A case report and critical review of the literature

Cancer Radiother. 2021 Oct 30:S1278-3218(21)00265-1. doi: 10.1016/j.canrad.2021.07.039. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTData on the incidence and severity of radiation-induced toxicity in patients with systemic and/or cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SLE/CLE) are very limited. After reporting the case of a patient who experienced major toxicity and CLE flare in the irradiated area following breast irradiation, we conducted a comprehensive literature review of available data in this setting. The few retrospectives studies which have evaluated both the risk of toxicity in SLE/CLE patients and/or the potential induction or reactivation of SLE/CLE with radiotherapy have not shown differences between SLE/CLE patients and controls. Several other factors such as concurrent chemotherapy, a particular genetic background, or lupus treatments (essentially hydroxychloroquine) can explain severe radiation-induced toxicity. Therefore, patients with SLE/CLE should be irradiated like patients without SLE/CLE, with close monitoring during radiotherapy if other risk factors exist. Further studies examining a larger number of patients would probably allow a better understanding of the radiosensitivity of these patients.PMID:34728115 | DOI:10.1016/j.canrad.2021.07.039
Source: Cancer Radiotherapie - Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Source Type: research