Abstract | AIMS: MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty women who received opposing tangential chest wall and supraclavicular field (SCF) irradiation after breast surgery were recruited. Thoracic HRCT was performed before and at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after radiotherapy (RT). Lung injury at 3 months was quantified by applying a scoring system to each HRCT section. Findings were correlated with spirometric lung function tests. RESULTS: There was HRCT evidence of lung injury in 27 (90%) women at 1 month and in all 30 patients at 3 months. Spirometric lung function declined post-RT (P < 0.05), correlating with an increased SCF acute lung injury score at 3 months [r = -0.54 and -0.46, P = 0.01 and 0.03 for forced expiratory volume in 1st (FEV(1)) and forced vital capacity (FVC), respectively]. Lung injury on HRCT progressed from ground glass opacification at 1 month to nodular consolidation (3 months), increasing linear densities (6 months), and finally to residual subpleural linear and dense opacities (12 months). CONCLUSION: There is a high incidence of lung injury associated with 3-field radiotherapy for breast cancer, with concurrent SCF irradiation increasing the risk of lung damage and functional impairment. A characteristic sequence of HRCT changes is seen in most patients receiving this type of radiotherapy.Ooi, G. C. (2000). Clinical Radiology55, 817-824.
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Authors | G C Ooi, D L Kwong, K N Chan, H Ngan, D T Lock, W K Lam, F L Chan, G Au, K W Tsang |
Journal | Clinical radiology
(Clin Radiol)
Vol. 55
Issue 11
Pg. 817-24
(Nov 2000)
ISSN: 0009-9260 [Print] England |
PMID | 11069735
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Copyright | Copyright 2000 The Royal College of Radiologists. |
Topics |
- Adult
- Aged
- Breast Neoplasms
(radiotherapy)
- Female
- Forced Expiratory Volume
(physiology)
- Humans
- Lung
(diagnostic imaging, radiation effects)
- Middle Aged
- Prospective Studies
- Radiation Injuries
(diagnostic imaging)
- Radiotherapy
(adverse effects, methods)
- Respiratory Distress Syndrome
(diagnostic imaging)
- Tomography, X-Ray Computed
(methods)
- Vital Capacity
(physiology)
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