A long-term effect of prior irradiation on the thermal enhancement of radiation damage in the mouse ear.

The responses of the mouse ear to heat alone, X-rays alone or X-rays combined with heat were measured at 10 months after initial X-ray treatments (19 Gy or 10 X 3.8 Gy), which caused similar acute reactions. Fractionating the initial dose had little effect on the response to retreatment. Prior irradiation increased thermal sensitivity so that the heating time at 43.5 degrees C required to cause necrosis was about 65 per cent that in age-matched controls. Prior irradiation also increased the response to X-rays alone, but had different effects on the susceptibilities to develop acute radiodermatitis and late deformity. For acute radiodermatitis, the second X-ray dose required to cause a given response in previously irradiated ears was 80-90 per cent that in age-matched controls and for late deformity it was 60-65 per cent. Prior irradiation had the same effects on the responses to X-rays given 6 min before mild hyperthermia (43.5 degrees C, 12 min) as on those to X-rays alone but had little effect on the responses to X-rays given 6 min after hyperthermia. Consequently, the thermal enhancement ratios for heat given after X-rays did not depend on prior irradiation whereas those for heat given before X-rays were reduced. This reduction may be due to a reduced ability of irradiated blood vessels to elicit an hyperaemic response to heat.