Figure 2.

Organ regions associated with side effects of radiotherapy. (a) The lateral and basal regions of the lung show increased microvascular and alveolar density. Irradiation of these regions is associated with decreased survival and respiratory rate enhancement in preclinical studies. (b) Irradiation of structures in the base of the heart or of the major vessels connected to the base of the heart is associated with increased functional changes and mortality. (c) Irradiation of the pancreatic tail is associated with a higher risk of developing diabetes. (d) Irradiation of the trigone, located at the bladder base, is associated with late genitourinary side effects.