Radiation-induced lung injury outside the irradiated area after radiation therapy for breast cancer
Yuki Yamamotoa,* Kengo Murataa Kentaro Sakashitaa,# Maki Miyamotoa Akihiko Wadaa Tetsuya Kashiyamab Akira Fujitaa,† Mikio Takamoria
aDepartment of Respiratory Medicine, Tokyo Metropolitan Tama Medical Center
bDepartment of Emergency Medicine, Tokyo Metropolitan Tama Medical Center
*Present address: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University
#Present address: Department of Infectious Disease, Nagasaki University School of Medicine
†Present address: Tama-Hokubu Medical Center
Organizing pneumonia (OP) and eosinophilic pneumonia (EP) are known as lung injuries after radiation therapy for breast cancer. In this study, we reported nine cases of OP and a case of EP after radiation therapy. All 10 women (62±10 years of age) were nonsmokers. Nine patients received endocrine therapy after radiation therapy. The mean intervals from completion of radiation therapy to occurrence of any symptoms were 119 days. All the patients have symptoms, but none are severe. Seven patients were treated with corticosteroids, and three were without treatment. All patients improved, but a relapse occurred in three (two treated with corticosteroid, one without treatment). Because of our findings and the previous studies, tobacco smoke may have played a suppressive role in the occurrence of lung injury in nonirradiated areas after radiation therapy in breast cancer patients, and endocrine therapy may have played a promotive role.
Breast cancer Radiation Organizing pneumonia Eosinophilic pneumonia
Received 25 May 2012 / Accepted 18 Sep 2012
AJRS, 2(3): 169-174, 2013