Radiation pneumonitis following multi-field radiation therapy

Radiat Med. 2000 Jan-Feb;18(1):59-61.

Abstract

The mechanisms of radiation pneumonitis have not been established. In a study on multi-field radiation therapy for lung cancer, one patient developed severe radiation pneumonitis even though the target volume was small. Radiation therapy was performed at a dose of 75 Gy in 50 fractions over five weeks. High-density areas conforming to the radiation field were observed by high-resolution CT. They were observed in the irradiated volume at doses under 20 Gy in the contralateral lung as well as in the ipsilateral lung.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / radiotherapy
  • Dose Fractionation, Radiation
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • Male
  • Methylprednisolone / therapeutic use
  • Radiation Pneumonitis / diagnostic imaging
  • Radiation Pneumonitis / drug therapy
  • Radiation Pneumonitis / etiology*
  • Radiotherapy Dosage
  • Radiotherapy, Conformal / adverse effects
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Methylprednisolone