The effects of radiation therapy in musculoskeletal system of children

Abstract

This review summarizes the literature investigating the radiotherapy related early and late musculoskeletal abnormalities in children, concerning non-malignant conditions and secondary malignancies. We searched the PubMed for English written articles and 10 relevant articles were found published between 1992 and 2015. We found that the late musculoskeletal effects were the more frequent among the survivors of childhood cancer, that they occurred more in children who have been irradiated for cranial or abdominal tumors and they were age and dose related. Further research with larger clinical trials examining the radiation dose, especially in younger children, should be done, to refine radiation dose protocols and also annual screening for high risk survivors should be recommended.