306. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2002 Apr 1;52(5):1196-206.
Early response of lung in breast cancer irradiation: radiologic density changes
measured by CT and symptomatic radiation pneumonitis.
Wennberg B(1), Gagliardi G, Sundbom L, Svane G, Lind P.
Author information:
(1)Department of Medical Physics, Huddinge University Hospital, Stockholm,
Sweden. berit@asf.hs.sll.se
PURPOSE: To quantify radiologic changes in the lung with CT after radiotherapy
(RT) for breast cancer (BC) and to study their association with treatment
techniques and symptomatic radiation pneumonitis (RP).
METHODS AND MATERIALS: CT scans of the lungs were performed before and 4 months
after RT in 121 BC patients treated with four different RT techniques. The
changes in mean density (MDCs) were analyzed at two lung levels (i.e., the
central and apical CT slice). The central CT slice was also analyzed with respect
to the MDCs in the anterior third and anterior half of the ipsilateral lung area.
In mastectomized patients who received chest wall RT with an en-face electron
beam, the maximal depths for a range of isodose curves were measured. The
occurrence of mild/moderate symptomatic RP was assessed prospectively 1, 4, and 7
months after RT. Data on covariates with potential confounding effect on
RT-induced lung toxicity were also collected prospectively.
RESULTS: In the entire study population, an association between the MDCs in the
anterior third of the central CT slice and treatment technique (p