Evaluation of radiation - Induced carotid artery stenosis after supraclavicular irradiation in patients with breast carcinoma

Supraclavicular irradiation may play a role in the pathogenesis of carotid stenosis in about 1/3 of breast carcinoma patients. The presence of co-morbidity has an additive role in radiation induced CAS. This stresses the importance of regular examination of the carotid artery by duplex ultrasonography. Every effort should be considered to minimize the dose to carotid artery within the clinical target volume by its proper delineation especially in high risk patients.