Analysis of radiation pneumonitis and radiation-induced lung fibrosis in breast cancer patients after breast conservation treatment.
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- Published online on: May 1, 1999 https://doi.org/10.3892/or.6.3.513
- Pages: 513-520
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Abstract
We examined radiation pneumonitis in breast cancer patients after breast conservation treatment (BCT) and analysed the degree of radiation-induced lung fibrosis by computed tomographies of the chest (chest CT). Fifty-two breast cancer patients were treated with BCT, including breast irradiation and chemotherapy. These patients symptomatic of radiation pneumonitis were examined every two to four weeks. Chest X-rays and chest CT were performed about one year after irradiation. symptoms due to radiation pneumonitis was registered in 9.6% of patients. lungs showed fibrotic changes by chest CT in 90% of the cases. Concurrent or alternative chemotherapy increased the incidence of symptomatic radiation pneumonitis and, to a certain extent, the degree of fibrotic change in the lung after BCT.
