Factors Predicting the Development of Radiation Pneumonitis in the Patients Receiving Radiation Therapy for Lung Cancer.
- Author:
Jin Yong AN
1
;
Sun Jung KWON
;
Yun Sun LEE
;
Hee Sun PARK
;
Sung Soo JUNG
;
Jin Whan KIM
;
Ju Ock KIM
;
Moon Jun JO
;
Sun Young KIM
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords: Radiation pneumonitis; Lung cancer
- MeSH: Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Drug Therapy; Humans; Incidence; Lung Neoplasms*; Lung*; Prognosis; Radiation Pneumonitis*; Radiotherapy; Respiratory Function Tests; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Serum Albumin; Smoke; Smoking; Uric Acid
- From:Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases 2004;56(1):40-50
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
- Abstract: BACKGROUND: Radiation pneumonitis(RP) is the major serious complication of thoracic irradiation treatment. In this study, we attempted to retrospectively evaluate the long-term prognosis of patients who experienced acute RP and to identify factor that might allow prediction of RP. METHODS: Of the 114 lung cancer patients who underwent thoracic radiotherapy between December 2000 and December 2002, We performed analysis using a database of 90 patients who were capable of being evaluated. RESULTS: Of the 44 patients(48.9%) who experienced clinical RP in this study, the RP was mild in 33(36.6%) and severe in 11(12.3%). All of severe RP were treated with corticosteroids. The median starting corticosteroids dose was 34 mg(30~40) and median treatment duration was 68 days(8~97). The median survival time of the 11 patients who experienced severe RP was significantly poorer than the mild RP group. (p=0.046) The higher total radiation dose(>or=60 Gy) was significantly associated with developing in RP.(p=0.001) The incidence of RP did not correlate with any of the ECOG performance, pulmonary function test, age, cell type, history of smoking, radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy, once-daily radiotherapy dose fraction. Also, serum albumin level, uric acid level at onset of RP did not influence the risk of severe RP in our study. CONCLUSION: Only the higher total radiation dose(>or=60 Gy) was a significant risk factor predictive of RP. Also severe RP was an adverse prognostic factor.
