[Physiopathology of human superficial radiation-induced fibrosis].

The radiation-induced fibrosis is a late sequela of both therapeutic and accidental irradiations, and has been described in several tissues such as skin and underlying sub-cutaneous tissues, and lung. Based on the newest findings arising from cellular and molecular radiobiology, this review synthesis different aspects of the human superficial radiation-induced fibrosis: clinical and paraclinical observations, radiobiological aspects, gross histological changes, cellular and molecular regulations, and medical management. However, the underlying mechanisms of the superficial radiation-induced fibrosis still remain to be resolved.