Gastrocutaneous fistula following radiation therapy for seminoma of the testis

A case presentation of a gastrocutaneous fistula following orthovoltage radiotherapy for prophylactic lymph node sterilization for seminoma of the testis is recorded. Many factors determine the response of an organ to radiation and with certain circumstances irreversible damage ensues. The pathologic effects of radiation on the stomach in the reported patient illustrates two stages of injury, acute and chronic. The insidious course of chronic injury eventually destroyed gastric and abdominal wall tissue to create a gastrocutaneous fistula 45 months after radiotherapy. Radiation therapy is a critical therapeutic modality in the treatment of neoplastic diseases and should be carefully administered with close followup of patients for acute and latent radiation effects.