- M J Killion: Department of Medicine, Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107, USA.
BACKGROUND: Second malignancies are a well recognized complication of radiation therapy.
METHODS: We performed a computer search of the literature using the Medline Database for Pericardial Tumors and Post-Irradiation Sarcomas.
RESULTS: The case history of a patient who developed a radiation-induced pericardial angiosarcoma is described. We present a detailed review of pericardial sarcomas.
CONCLUSIONS: We believe this to be the first report of a radiation-induced pericardial sarcoma. The importance of continued long-term observation for patients who receive mediastinal irradiation is stressed.