Radiation injuries of the pancreas

The pancreas has been considered a radioresistant organ for a long time. This classification originates in absence of clinical symptomes or in the vague position of the organ within the symptom complex radiogenic malabsorption after pancreas irradiation. Experiments with animals, however, show considerable alterations after irradiation, especially in the ultrastructural sphere. These disorders appear to be altered qualitatively after fractionated irradiation. Alterations in parenchymal structures of the pancreas are regenerable. Nevertheless it is not explained till now, why lasting reduction of enzyme activity can develop after a longer period. Only small or no impairment of the pancreatic islets can be ascertained after irradiation. (author)