Review of Cerebral Radiotherapy‐Induced Vasculopathy in Pediatric and Adult Patients

Abstract

AbstractRadiation therapy (RT) causes radiation‐induced vasculopathy, which requires clinicians to identify and manage this side effect in pediatric and adult patients. This article reviews previous findings about the pathophysiology of RT‐induced vascular injury, including endothelial cell injury, oxidative stress, inflammatory cytokines, angiogenic pathways, and remodeling. The vasculopathy is categorized into ischemic vasculopathy, hemorrhagic vasculopathy, carotid artery injury, and other malformations (cavernous malformations and aneurysms) in populations of pediatric and adult patients separately. The prevention and management of this RT‐induced side effect are also discussed. The article summarizes the distribution and risk factors of different types of RT‐induced vasculopathy. This will help clinicians identify high‐risk patients with corresponding vasculopathy subtypes to deduce prevention and treatment strategies accordingly.