Radiation-induced pulmonary injury: symptomatic versus subclinical endpoints.
PURPOSE: To assess the relationship between radiation (RT)-induced pulmonary symptoms and subclinical changes in pulmonary functions tests (PFT) and radiographs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 184 patients irradiated between 1992 and 1998 were prospectively evaluated for RT-induced pulmonary symptoms, changes in computed tomography (CT) density, reductions in single photon emission CT (SPECT) perfusion, and changes in pulmonary functions tests (forced expiratory volume in 1 s [FEV1] and diffusion capacity to carbon monoxide [DLCO]). Comparisons between the evaluable patients with (N=34) and without (N=106) RT-induced pulmonary symptoms were made. RESULTS: Within 6 months of RT, 80% of the RT-induced symptoms were noted. There was no association between the presence or absence of RT-induced pulmonary symptoms and the frequency of RT-induced radiographic changes (p=0.53), or in the dose-response curve for RT-induced reductions in regional perfusion. Overall, RT-induced changes in SPECT images were more commonly seen than increased density changes on CT (p<0.001). Most patients with pulmonary symptoms had relatively low pre-RT PFTs and experienced further declines following RT. CONCLUSIONS: Regional radiographic changes in CT-defined tissue density or SPECT-defined tissue perfusion are similar in patients with and without RT-induced pulmonary symptoms because these endpoints do not consider the volume of lung affected. RT-induced pulmonary symptoms are better related to post-RT PFT because they are an assessment of whole lung function. Additional studies are necessary to better define models that can predict the degree of radiation-induced changes in whole lung function.
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- Tomography, X-Ray Computed
- Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon
- Radiotherapy
- Oncology & Carcinogenesis
- Middle Aged
- Male
- Lung
- Humans
- Female
- Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation
Citation
Published In
DOI
ISSN
Publication Date
Volume
Issue
Start / End Page
Location
Related Subject Headings
- Tomography, X-Ray Computed
- Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon
- Radiotherapy
- Oncology & Carcinogenesis
- Middle Aged
- Male
- Lung
- Humans
- Female
- Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation