91. Early toxicity in 3 D CRT of lung cancer

Abstract

Aim

Evaluation the influence of irradiated volume of lung on pneumonitis in 3D radiotherapy.

Material/methods and Results

We evaluated 49 patients with diagnosis of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who were treated in our department between 1999 and 2000. The mean age of patinets was 62 years. The Karnofsky index was documented in all patients before, during and after completion of irradiation. All patients represented IIIA clinical stage of lung cancer. Fourteen patients were irradiated postoperatively due to the residual tumour or massive nodal involvment. Thirty five patients were treated with exclusive radiotherapy. No patients have been treated by chemotherapy. We performed 3D CRT with total dose in range 60 to 66 Gy in daily fractions of 2 Gy prescribed to isocentric point. Clinical and radiological evaluation of pneumonitis was performed. 21 patients of 49 had radiation pneumonitis, but intensity of pneumonitis was moderate. For better estimation the toxicity the dose volume histograms (DVH) were used. The volume of irradiated lung was an important factor for pneumonitis progress.

Conclusions

Dose volume histograms (DVH) with clinical evaluation can predict pulmonary toxicity (pneumonitis) and colud allow us to evaluate volume of irradiated lung with the highest acceptable dose.