Radiation effects in malignancy: a study using laser Doppler flowmetry

The work reported here used the microcirculatory approach for assessing radiation damage to the microvasculature. Head and neck cancer was selected for the in-vivo microcirculatory studies. Blood perfusion was recorded on the skin overlying the tumour as well as inside the tumour, using a noninvasive laser Doppler perfusion monitor. The perfusion of the skin over the tumour was found to be increased after radiation while inside the tumour perfusion was drastically decreased. It is proposed that a pre- and post-radiation microcirculation study is of great help for a radiation oncologist to design improved treatment modalities