Sacral plexus injury after radiotherapy for carcinoma of cervix

Cancer. 1990 Oct 1;66(7):1488-92. doi: 10.1002/1097-0142(19901001)66:7<1488::aid-cncr2820660709>3.0.co;2-y.

Abstract

A 42-year-old woman developed lower extremity weakness and sensory loss 1 year after external and intracavitary radiotherapy for Stage IB carcinoma of cervix. She has been followed for 5 years posttreatment, and the neurologic abnormalities have persisted, but no evidence of recurrent carcinoma has been found. We believe this to be a rare case of sacral plexus radiculopathy developing as a late complication after radiotherapy. Suggestions are made for improving the radiotherapy technique to prevent this complication in future cases.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Lumbosacral Plexus / radiation effects*
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / etiology
  • Radiation Injuries / etiology*
  • Radiotherapy Dosage
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / pathology
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / radiotherapy*