CONVENTIONAL RADIOGRAPHIC FOLLOW-UP IN THE IRRADIATED LUNG

Aims: To highlight the different changes induced in lung tissues by va rious forms of radiotherapy (RT) according to tumor site and type. Met hods: A retrospective analysis of the roentgenographic evaluation of a nd long-term follow-up data on 2375 patients who received RT for vario us intrathoracic and extrathoracic tumors at the National Cancer Insti tute of Milan. Results: The iconographic patterns of post-RT changes, grouped by site and type of tumor and RT procedure and described in de tail, afford deeper insight into a little-known area of lung pathology . Conclusions: These descriptions of common and uncommon patterns of t he irradiated lung as they appear on conventional chest roentgenograms enable the radiologist and radiotherapist to assess exactly the respo nse of tumor and lung tissues and to plan the most appropriate clinica l follow-up.