Longitudinal changes in the carotid arteries of head and neck cancer patients following radiation therapy: Results from a prospective serial imaging biomarker characterization study.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

We prospectively evaluated morphologic and functional changes in the carotid arteries of patients treated with unilateral neck radiation therapy (RT) for head and neck cancer.

Methods

Bilateral carotid artery duplex studies were performed at 0, 3, 6, 12, 18 months and 2, 3, 4, and 5 years following RT. Intima media thickness (IMT); global and regional circumferential, as well as radial strain, arterial elasticity, stiffness, and distensibility were calculated.

Results

Thirty-eight patients were included. A significant difference in the IMT from baseline between irradiated and unirradiated carotid arteries was detected at 18 months (median, 0.073 mm vs -0.003 mm; P = 0.014), which increased at 3 and 4 years (0.128 mm vs 0.013 mm, P = 0.016, and 0.177 mm vs

SUBMITTER: Koutroumpakis E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11380547 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature