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Rate ePoster

General Rehabilitation

Post-Radiation Fibrosis in Cancer Patients: A Hidden Contributor to Psychological and Functional Morbidity

Friday, October 24, 2025
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM MT
Location: Kiosk 9

    Poster Presenter(s)

  • Austin Smith, MS

    Medical Student
    University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine
    San Antonio, Texas

    • Co-Author(s)

  • Aaron M. Bernal

    Medical Student
    University of the incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine
    Boerne, Texas

  • VP

    Viraj Padhiar, Other

    Medical Student
    Nova Southeastern University Dr Kiran C Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine
    Fort Lauderdale, Florida

  • JN

    Jacob D. Nieves, Other

    Medical Student
    University of Texas Medical Branch At Galveston School of Medicine
    Galveston, Texas

  • RS

    Roshan Santhosh, DO

    PM&R PGY-4
    Larkin Community Hospital PM&R Program
    Miami, Florida

  • Brian Fricke, MD (he/him/his)

    Associate Professor
    UT Health San Antonio
    San Antonio, Texas

Disclosure(s):
Austin Smith, MS: No financial relationships to disclose
Aaron M. Bernal: No financial relationships to disclose
Brian Fricke, MD: No financial relationships to disclose
Background and/or Objectives: Radiation-induced fibrosis (RIF) is prevalent in 30-70% of patients receiving radiotherapy and is characterized by the excessive accumulation of collagen in irradiated tissues, leading to structural and functional changes. This study aims to investigate the impact of RIF on the mental and physical health of oncology patients.

Design: Case-control retrospective cohort analysis.

Setting : We used the TriNetX Database, which contains de-identified electronic health record data from across the United States, to select patients receiving chemotherapy and radiation with post-radiation fibrosis. This study is exempt from IRB review as determined by the University of Texas Medical Branch IRB.

Participants : Cohort A (Chemotherapy + radiation + radiation-induced fibrosis (RIF), 44,739 patients; mean age of 59.7 土 16.1 years) and Cohort B (Chemotherapy and radiation only (CRO), 44,739 patients; mean age of 60.0 土 16.4 years) after propensity score matching. Both cohorts were diagnosed with cancer and received chemotherapy and radiation for treatment.

Interventions: Not Applicable.

Main Outcome Measures: Our study measured rates of body dysmorphic disorder and adjustment disorder. We also looked at new diagnoses of post-radiation muscle weakness and lymphedema. Cohorts were matched for potential confounding variables.

Results: Analysis revealed the RIF cohort demonstrated higher rates of body dysmorphic disorder at 0.1% compared to 0.02% for the CRO cohort (p < 0.016). Adjustment disorder rates were higher in the RIF cohort at 5.1% in contrast to 4.7% for CRO (p < 0.024). The incidence of post-radiation muscle weakness was higher in the RIF group (6.8%) compared to the CRO group (5.8%) (P < 0.000). The RIF cohort experienced higher rates of lymphedema (14.2%) compared to the CRO cohort (5.1%) (p < 0.000).

Conclusions: Our research indicates oncology patients with radiation fibrosis exhibited higher rates of body dysmorphia and adjustment disorder, alongside increased post-radiation muscle weakness and lymphedema.