Is carotid stiffness a possible surrogate for stroke in long-term survivors of childhood cancer after neck radiotherapy?

Abstract

The risk for cerebrovascular late effects among childhood cancer survivors is considerable. According to recent studies it is not clear which marker could be reliable for the screening of cerebrovascular diseases among the long-term survivors of childhood cancer. The purpose of this study is to analyse arterial stiffness and intima-media thickness as possible early markers of later occurring stroke in long-term survivors of childhood cancer after neck radiotherapy.

Keywords

• carotid stiffness
• carotid artery disease
• childhood cancer survivors
• late effects
• neck irradiation