Radiation therapy can be used to treat a variety of cancers--either alone or in combination with other treatments. Radiation can impact the different tissues that are located in the radiation beam range; the amount of damage also depends on the amount of radiation received, according to MayoClinic.com. Both growing bones and adults bones can be injured by radiation therapy.
Shortening of Long Bones
According to Edward C. Halperin, Carlos A. Perez and Luther W. Brady in the 2008 book "Perez and Brady's Principles and Practice of Radiation Oncology," radiation therapy may cause the shortening of the long bones in children who are growing. After radiation to a growing bone, the bone-creating cells or osteoblasts are destroyed, according to the Health Physics Society. The bone will be unable to grow longer, which leads to a shortened bone.
Asymmetric Spinal Growth
Children who receive radiation therapy involving the abdomen or the spine may develop asymmetrical spine growth, according to Halperin and colleagues. These patients may develop scoliosis, which causes a sideways curving of the spine, or kyphosis, which causes a bowing of the back. Care should be taken to make sure that the spine is evenly exposed during radiation to avoid unequal growth.
Osteoradionecrosis
Osteoradionecrosis or bone death may be one of the most serious side effects of radiation therapy, according to the Oral Cancer Foundation. Osteoradionecrosis can become significant when it occurs in the chest wall, mandible, vertebral column and pelvis, according to the Hyperbaric Services of the Palm Beaches website. Osteoradionecrosis may cause the bones in these areas to be more prone to fracture after slight trauma. The mandible or jaw bone has the highest incidence of osteoradionecrosis because of the numbers of patients treated with radiation of the head and neck. The damage to the jaw bone can affect the patient's appearance or the health of the patient's teeth.
References
- Health Physics Society: Radiation Effects --- Effects on Tissues and Organs
- "Perez and Brady's Principles and Practice of Radiation Oncology;" Edward C. Halperin, Carlos A. Perez, Luther W. Brady; 2008
- Oral Cancer Foundation: Dental and Oral Complications
- Hyperbaric Services of the Palm Beaches: Osteoradionecrosis
- MayoClinic.com: Radiation Therapy
