Late radiation injury (LRI) is the damage to the soft tissue and bone following radiation therapy that occurs weeks and years after the radiation exposure. Pathogenesis of LRI stems from ischemia, interruption of the blood supply and direct cell damage. LRIs include but not limited to the skin atrophy, ulceration and non-healing wounds; cystitis, proctosigmoiditis, resulting to fistulas, abscesses, fibrosis and scaring; laryngitis, osteoradionecrosis; central nervous system injury, optic neuropathy. [from
NCI]