Analysis of radiation pneumonitis and radiation-induced lung fibrosis in breast cancer patients after breast conservation treatment

We examined radiation pneumonitis in breast cancer patients after breast co nservation treatment (BCT) and analysed the degree of radiation-induced lun g fibrosis by computed tomographies of the chest (chest CT). Fifty-two brea st cancer patients were treated with BCT, including breast irradiation and chemotherapy. These patients symptomatic of radiation pneumonitis were exam ined every two to four weeks. Chest X-rays and chest CT were performed abou t one year after irradiation. Symptoms due to radiation pneumonitis was reg istered in 9.6% of patients. Lungs showed fibrotic changes by chest CT in 9 0% of the cases. Concurrent or alternative chemotherapy increased the incid ence of symptomatic radiation pneumonitis and, to a certain extent, the deg ree of fibrotic change in the lung after BCT.