Lymphangiographic changes after radiation therapy.

Lymphangiographic appearance following radiotherapy is described in 21 patients with pre- and posttherapy lymphangiograms. Following radiotherapy to normal lymphatics, decrease in nodal size and lymph vessel caliber is noted uniformly after 12 months. Before 12 months the development of these changes is variable and may not be seen, especially during the first several months. Following irradiation of abnormal lymph nodes, dilatation of the lymph vessels distal to the abnormal nodes may occur. These lymphangiographic findings can be related to histologic changes seen in lymph nodes after radiation therapy.