62例局部晚期NSCLC三维适形放射治疗中放射性肺炎相关因素分析

目的：探讨接受三维适形放射治疗局部晚期非小细胞肺癌（non-small cell lung cancer,NSCLC）患者发生放射性肺炎的相关因素。方法：62例不能手术切除局部晚期NSCLC患者放疗前1周行肺功能检测,分析患者性别、年龄、临床分期、病理类型、病变部位、同步化疗、吸烟状况、合并慢性阻塞性肺病与否、肿瘤位置、肿瘤体积和剂量参数V10、V20、V30以及肺功能指标与放射性肺炎的关系。结果：62例患者中11例发生放射性肺炎,其中3例发生于放疗中,8例发生于放疗后1个月内。单因素分析有统计学差异的相关因素为肺功能状态、肿瘤体积、肺剂量体积参数（P=0.002,P=0.000,P=0.032）;经过Logistic回归模型多因素分析,放疗前合并重度慢性阻塞性肺病、病变位于肺下叶、肿瘤直径〉5cm以及V30〉25%为放射性肺损伤发生的显著相关因素（P=0.047,P=0.035,P=0.040和0.002）。结论：放射性肺损伤是多因素综合影响结果,对肺部有慢性疾病患者应优选治疗方案,且控制肺V30〈25%。     

62例局部晚期NSCLC三维适形放射治疗中放射性肺炎相关因素分析

目的:探讨接受三维适形放射治疗局部晚期非小细胞肺癌(non-small cell lung cancer,NSCLC)患者发生放射性肺炎的相关因素。方法:62例不能手术切除局部晚期NSCLC患者放疗前1周行肺功能检测,分析患者性别、年龄、临床分期、病理类型、病变部位、同步化疗、吸烟状况、合并慢性阻塞性肺病与否、肿瘤位置、肿瘤体积和剂量参数V10、V20、V30以及肺功能指标与放射性肺炎的关系。结果:62例患者中11例发生放射性肺炎,其中3例发生于放疗中,8例发生于放疗后1个月内。单因素分析有统计学差异的相关因素为肺功能状态、肿瘤体积、肺剂量体积参数(P=0.002,P=0.000,P=0.032);经过Logistic回归模型多因素分析,放疗前合并重度慢性阻塞性肺病、病变位于肺下叶、肿瘤直径>5cm以及V30>25%为放射性肺损伤发生的显著相关因素(P=0.047,P=0.035,P=0.040和0.002)。结论:放射性肺损伤是多因素综合影响结果,对肺部有慢性疾病患者应优选治疗方案,且控制肺V30<25%。     

局部晚期肺癌患者118例放射性肺炎危险因素分析

摘 要：［目的］ 探讨肺癌患者放疗后放射性肺炎发病相关因素,寻找合理的预测指标。［方法］ 对118例接受根治性放疗的非小细胞肺癌患者进行随访。处方剂量60～７５Gy,以患者临床症状、胸部X线片、薄层CT了解患者有无放射性肺炎发生,对患者临床资料和治疗计划等指标进行单因素及多因素分析评价放射性肺炎相关因素。［结果］ 118例患者经治疗后37例出现≥2级的急性放射性肺炎,占31.35%;临床因素中放疗合并化疗、放疗前合并COPD以及有吸烟史对放射性肺炎发生率有显著性影响(P<0.05)。GTV、V5等10项放疗剂量学指标在有无放射性肺炎患者间差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);将这些物理指标分层分析显示,当GTV>135cm、V10＞47%、V20>25%、V25>22%、V30>18%、V35＞15%或者V40＞13%时,放射性肺炎的发生率增高(P<0.05)。放疗前合并有COPD、双肺V10>47%,V30>18%和同期放化疗为放射性肺炎发生的独立影响因素(均P<0.05)。［结论］ 伴有肺部慢性疾病的患者是放射性肺炎发生的独立影响因素。对肺部有慢性阻塞性肺病的患者要严格控制正常组织受量,使V20≤25％,V30≤18％。     

肺癌同期放化治疗中放射性肺损伤的相关因素分析

 目的 观察三维适形放疗联合同期化疗治疗局部晚期非小细胞肺癌中放射性肺损伤情况,对其相关因 素进行分析,寻找合理的预测性 指标。 方法 47例符合入组条件的非小细胞肺癌患者接受三维适形放疗及同期化疗。处方剂量为60Gy常规 放疗,同期化疗方案为NP方案,对三维适形治疗计划及临床资料进行单因素、多因素分析,评 价肺损伤情况。 结果 （1）完全缓解3例, 部分缓解42例,总有效率为95.74%,1年生存率75.78%。全组发生急性放 射性肺炎0级2例,1级20 例,2级17例,3级8例,无4级放射性肺炎发生。（2）与严重放射性肺炎发生呈正相关的剂量 学因素为MLD、肺NTCP,肺V5、 V15、V20。临床资料中仅发现肿瘤GTV与严重放射性肺炎发生相关;多因素分析显示全肺平均 剂量为放射性肺炎的独立影 响因素。 结论 剂量学因素（MLD、肺NTCP,肺V5、V15、V20）可以较好地预测严重放射性肺炎的发生,全肺 平均剂量是放射性肺炎发生的独立影响因素。     

肺癌三维适形放疗所致放射性肺炎相关因素分析

[目的]评价三维适形放疗肺癌患者的临床资料和放疗计划的物理参数，评估临床、物理指标与放射性肺炎的关系。[方法]回顾性分析36例发生放射性肺炎的肺癌患者，并配以同期治疗的36例未发生放射性肺炎患者作为对照组，比较两组三维适形治疗计划的剂量体积直方图（DVH）及临床资料。观察包括年龄、性别、病理、临床分期、肿瘤位置、化疗、肺部疾病史放疗剂量等临床指标，及DVH上获取的包括两肺V5、V10、V15、V20、V25、V30、V35、V40、V45及Dmean、GTV体积、两肺容积等物理参数。比较这些因素对放射性肺炎发生率的影响。[结果]放射性肺炎发生时间，8例于放射治疗中，28例于放射结束后0～9个月。中位时间为3．5个月。单因素分析显示物理指标两肺V5、V10、V15、V20、V25、V30、V35、V40及Dmean，临床指标吸烟和合并化疗与放射性肺炎发生率相关，而患者年龄、临床分期、病理类型、是否合并肺部基础疾病等与放射性肺炎的发生无明显关系。多因素分析显示仅有V5与放射性肺炎相关。[结论]评估肺癌治疗计划时，要充分考虑两肺V5、V10、V15、V20、V25、V30、V35、V40及Dmean等物理学指标，合并化疗及吸烟患者更应该严格控制正常肺组织受量。而V5是预测放射性肺炎的独立指标。     

肺癌三维适形放疗所致放射性肺炎相关因素分析

[目的]评价三维适形放疗肺癌患者的临床资料和放疗计划的物理参数，评估临床、物理指标与放射性肺炎的关系。[方法]回顾性分析36例发生放射性肺炎的肺癌患者，并配以同期治疗的36例未发生放射性肺炎患者作为对照组，比较两组三维适形治疗计划的剂量体积直方图（DVH）及临床资料。观察包括年龄、性别、病理、临床分期、肿瘤位置、化疗、肺部疾病史放疗剂量等临床指标，及DVH上获取的包括两肺V5、V10、V15、V20、V25、V30、V35、V40、V45及Dmean、GTV体积、两肺容积等物理参数。比较这些因素对放射性肺炎发生率的影响。[结果]放射性肺炎发生时间，8例于放射治疗中，28例于放射结束后0～9个月。中位时间为3．5个月。单因素分析显示物理指标两肺V5、V10、V15、V20、V25、V30、V35、V40及Dmean，临床指标吸烟和合并化疗与放射性肺炎发生率相关，而患者年龄、临床分期、病理类型、是否合并肺部基础疾病等与放射性肺炎的发生无明显关系。多因素分析显示仅有V5与放射性肺炎相关。[结论]评估肺癌治疗计划时，要充分考虑两肺V5、V10、V15、V20、V25、V30、V35、V40及Dmean等物理学指标，合并化疗及吸烟患者更应该严格控制正常肺组织受量。而V5是预测放射性肺炎的独立指标。     

放疗前肺功能参数对非小细胞肺癌放射性肺炎的预测价值

目的 观察肺癌患者三维适形放疗后放射性肺炎的发生情况,探讨放疗前肺功能参数在预测非小细胞肺癌放射性肺炎方面的价值.方法 对81例接受三维适形放射治疗并符合入组条件的非小细胞肺癌患者进行放疗前基础肺功能测定,并记录剂量体积参数,观察放疗后放射性肺炎的发生情况,对患者临床资料、肺功能参数、剂量体积参数等指标进行单因素及多因素分析,评价肺功能参数预测放射性肺炎的价值.结果 全组患者中17例出现≥2级放射性肺炎,占21.0%(17/81),其中2级15例,3级2例,无4、5级放射性肺炎发生.单因素分析结果显示,放疗前肺功能指标FEV1.0、FEV1.0/FVC、DLCO及放疗计划指标PTV体积、双肺MLD、V5、V20、V30,均影响患者≥2级放射性肺炎的发生(P<0.05).≥2级放射性肺炎组患者肺功能参数FEV1.0、FEV1.0/FVC、DLCO指标值均低于0、1级放射性肺炎组,且有统计学意义(P<0.05).多因素分析结果显示:FEV1.0、FEV1.0/FVC、DLCO等相关肺功能指标值并非≥2级放射性肺炎的独立影响因素,仅双侧肺脏MLD、V5、V20及V30为患者≥2级放射性肺炎发生的独立影响因素(P<0.05).结论 基础肺功能参数FEV1.0、FEV1.0/FVC、DLCO在≥2级急性放射性肺炎预测方面具有一定价值,肺功能受损是放射性肺炎的高危因素,但并非影响放射性肺炎的独立因素.     

胸部肿瘤放疗所致急性放射性肺炎的相关因素分析

目的:研究胸部肿瘤放疗所致急性放射性肺炎的相关因素.方法: 回顾性分析88例胸部肿瘤患者进行三维立体定向适形放疗(3DCRT)后发生急性放射性肺炎与基础肺功能,肺V30,性别,年龄,卡氏评分,化疗,病理类型,吸烟的关系.3结果: 临床有急性放射性肺炎症状者10例,占11.4%,其中Ⅰ级7例,Ⅱ级3例,有影像学改变的18例,占20.5%.放射性肺炎与患者的基础肺功能,肺V30及化疗有关(P<0.05). 结论: 肺部有慢性疾病致基础肺功能异常患者,放疗后化疗和3DCRT治疗时肺V30可能引起急性放射性肺炎.     

乳腺癌术后放射性肺损伤的临床分析

  目的  分析乳腺癌术后放射治疗引起的肺损伤,对其相关因素进行统计分析。  方法  回顾性总结新疆医科大学附属肿瘤医院2007年1月至2010年1月行乳腺癌改良根治或根治术后放射治疗的238例患者的资料,放射治疗计划采用常规+调强,照射计划总量为50 Gy。通过患者复查胸片或胸部CT观察放射性肺损伤程度及结合临床症状确定放射性肺损伤的诊断。对238例患者放射治疗后发生放射性肺损伤的患者进行单因素及多因素的统计分析。  结果  全组放射性肺损伤发生率为7.6%（18/238）,其中未发生放射性肺损伤者220例（92.4%）,多元Logistic回归分析显示手术方式、是否合并慢性阻塞性肺病为独立影响因素。  结论  手术方式、是否合并慢性阻塞性肺病是影响放射性肺损伤发生的主要因素。      

肺灌注显像联合剂量体积直方图参数预测放射性肺炎的临床研究

 目的　观察接受三维适形或调强放疗的肺癌患者放疗前后肺灌注显像的变化、肺受照射的剂量体积直方图（DVH）参数等,并结合临床因素,探讨其与放射性肺炎发生的相关性。方法　18例接受三维适形或调强放疗的肺癌患者放疗前后行肺灌注显像检查,比较照射前后肺灌注显像的变化。放射性肺炎的评价按美国肿瘤放疗协作组（RTOG）急性放射性肺炎标准评定。获得的CT与单光子发射CT（SPECT）肺灌注图像融合后,将等剂量曲线投影到SPECT图像,将传统的DVH转换成f-DVH。将f-DVH曲线中每例患者的V5、V10和V20所对应的灵敏度与特异度相加,取其最大值,寻找到曲线的界值。分析放疗前后肺灌注显像变化及肺受照射的DVH与放射性肺炎发生的相关性。结果　18例患者中,33.3 %（6／18）发生了2级以上放射性肺炎。放疗前后肺灌注受损加重者2级以上放射性肺炎发生率为62.5 %（5／8）,肺灌注受损改善者发生率为10.0 %（1／10）。f-DVH图曲线中V5、V10和V20的界值分别为53 %、41 %和27 %,以V5对中重度急性放射性肺炎的预测准确度最高。放疗前后肺灌注显像的变化联合全肺DVH参数V5是放射性肺炎最强的预测因素。结论　肺癌患者放疗前后肺灌注显像能反映患侧肺灌注功能的变化。放疗前后肺灌注显像的变化联合DVH参数V5有望作为预测放射性肺炎发生的指标。     

剂量体积参数对晚期放射性心包积液发生的影响

目的 探讨胸部肿瘤放疗心脏剂量体积参数对晚期放射性心包积液发生的影响。方法 应用胸部强化CT和超声心动图观察 49例胸部肿瘤患者放疗后晚期放射性心包积液发生情况,并对心脏剂量体积参数进行分析,探讨发生晚期放射性心包积液的物理学影响因素。结果 全组患者放射性心包积液发生率为28.6%(14/49),其中少量 12例、中量 2例。发生放射性心包积液组心脏 V₃₀、V₃₅高于未发生组(P=0.035、0.038)。多因素分析显示心脏 V₃₀是晚期放射性心包积液发生的影响因素(P=0.036)。对心脏 V₃₀的ROC曲线下面积为0.695,预测准确性接近中等,界值为33.0%。心脏 V₃₀≥33.0%组放射性心包积液发生率为43.5%,明显高于<33.0%组的15.4%(P=0.030)。V₃₀预测的敏感性、特异性均为71.4%。结论 心包积液是晚期放射性心脏损伤较为常见的表现类型,心脏 V₃₀、V₃₅与放射性心包积液的发生相关,其中心脏 V₃₀是晚期放射性心包积液发生的影响因素。但最终结论还需进一步大样本观察结果证实。     

Dosimetric Parameters Predicting Late Small Bowel Toxicity in Patients With Rectal Cancer Receiving Neoadjuvant Chemoradiation

PurposeThe aim of this study was to identify dosimetric parameters that predict late small bowel (SB) toxicity after neoadjuvant long course chemoradiation (CRT) for rectal cancer.Methods and MaterialsFour hundred eighty-six consecutive patients with locally advanced rectal cancers (clinical T3/T4 or N1/N2) who received CRT followed by surgery and had dosimetric data available for analysis were included in this study. The dose-volume relationship between small bowel irradiation and late small bowel toxicity was evaluated and a mathematical model to predict for late SB toxicity was derived.ResultsAmong the 486 patients with a median follow-up of 60 months from completion of radiation, 36 (7.4%) patients experienced ≥ grade 2 and 21 (4.3%) developed ≥ grade 3 late SB toxicity. A statistically significant association between the development of grade ≥3 late small bowel toxicity and the volume of small bowel irradiated was found at each dose level from 5 to 40 Gy (P < .001 for all dose volumes) in 5 Gy intervals. The average SB volume for patients who experienced grade ≥2 SB toxicity was 2149.9 cm³ and the average SB volume for patients who experienced grade ≥3 SB toxicity was 2179.9 cm³. The predicted V30 for a 5% risk for grade ≥2 SB toxicity was 101.5 cm³ and for grade ≥3 SB toxicity was 201.5 cm³. The volume of small bowel receiving at least 30 Gy (V30) was most strongly associated with grade ≥3 SB toxicity.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates the significant dose-volume relationship between volume of small bowel receiving 30 Gy (V30 Gy) and late grade ≥3 SB toxicity. When planning CRT for patients with rectal cancer, restricting V30 to <200 cm³ will be a useful guideline to minimize the 5 year grade ≥3 late SB toxicity to <5%.     

Updated assessment of the six-minute walk test as predictor of acute radiation-induced pneumonitis

PURPOSE: To assess the utility of the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) as a predictor of symptomatic radiation-induced pneumonitis (RP). METHODS: As part of a prospective trial to study radiation-induced lung injury, 53 patients receiving thoracic radiotherapy (RT) underwent a pre-RT 6MWT, pulmonary function tests (PFTs), and had >or=3-month follow-up for prospective assessment of Grade 2 or worse RP (requiring medications or worse). Dosimetric parameters (e.g., the percentage of lung receiving >or=30 Gy) were extracted from the lung dose-volume histogram. The correlations between the 6MWT and PFT results were assessed using Pearson's correlation. The receiver operating characteristic technique was used in patient subgroups to evaluate the predictive capacities for RP of the dosimetric parameters, 6MWT results, and PFT results, or the combination (using discriminant analysis) of all three metrics. ROCKIT software was used to compare the receiver operating characteristic areas between each predictive model. The association of the decline in 6MWT with the development of RP was evaluated using Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: The pre-RT PFT and 6MWT results correlated weakly (r = 0.44-0.57, p or=30 Gy, receiver operating characteristic area 0.73, p = 0.03). Including the PFT or 6MWT results with the percentage of lung receiving >or=30 Gy did not improve the predictions. The predictive abilities of dosimetric-based models improved when the analysis was restricted to those patients whose tumors were not causing regional lung dysfunction. No correlation was found between the decline in the 6MWT result and the RP rate (p = 0.6). CONCLUSION: Although the PFTs and 6MWT are related to each other, the correlation coefficients were weak, suggesting that they could be measuring different physiologic functions. In the present data set, the addition of the PFTs or 6MWT did not increase the ability of the dosimetric parameters to predict for acute symptomatic RP. Additional work is needed to better understand the interaction among the PFT results, exercise tolerance (6MWT), and the risk of RT-induced lung dysfunction.     

Differences in pulmonary function before vs. 1 year after hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy for small peripheral lung tumors

PURPOSE: To evaluate long-term pulmonary toxicity of stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) by pulmonary function tests (PFTs) performed before and after SRT for small peripheral lung tumors. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A total of 17 lesions in 15 patients with small peripheral lung tumors, who underwent SRT between February 2000 and April 2003, were included in this study. Twelve patients had primary lung cancer, and 3 patients had metastatic lung cancer. Primary lung cancer was T1-2N0M0 in all cases. Smoking history was assessed by the Brinkman index (number of cigarettes smoked per day multiplied by number of years of smoking). Prescribed radiation doses at the 80% isodose line were 40-60 Gy in 5-8 fractions. PFTs were performed immediately before SRT and 1 year after SRT. Test parameters included total lung capacity (TLC), vital capacity (VC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1.0), and diffusing capacity of lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO). PFT changes were evaluated in relation to patient- and treatment-related factors, including age, the Brinkman index, internal target volume, the percentages of lung volume irradiated with >15, 20, 25, and 30 Gy (V15, V20, V25, and V30, respectively), and mean lung dose. RESULTS: There were no significant changes in TLC, VC, or FEV1.0 before vs. after SRT. The mean percent change from baseline in DLCO was significantly increased by 128.2%. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed a correlation between DLCO and the Brinkman index. CONCLUSIONS: One year after SRT as compared with before SRT, there were no declines in TLC, VC, and FEV1.0. DLCO improved in patients who had been heavy smokers before SRT, suggesting a correlation between DLCO and smoking cessation. SRT seems to be tolerable in view of long-term lung function.     

Predictors for chronic urinary toxicity after the treatment of prostate cancer with adaptive three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy: dose-volume analysis of a phase II dose-escalation study

PURPOSE: To identify factors predictive for chronic urinary toxicity secondary to high-dose adaptive three-dimensional conformal radiation. METHODS AND MATERIALS: From 1999 to 2002, 331 consecutive patients with clinical Stage II-III prostate cancer were prospectively treated (median dose, 75.6 Gy). The bladder was contoured, and the bladder wall was defined as the outer 3 mm of the bladder solid volume. Toxicity was quantified according to the National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria 2.0. Median follow-up was 1.6 years. RESULTS: The 3-year rates of Grade > or =2 and Grade 3 chronic urinary toxicity were 17.0% and 3.6%, respectively. Prostate volume, confidence-limited patient-specific planning target volume, bladder wall volume, and acute urinary toxicity were all found to be accurate predictors for chronic urinary toxicity. The volume of bladder wall receiving > or =30 Gy (V30) and > or =82 Gy (V82), along with prostate volume, were all clinically useful predictors of Grade > or =2 and Grade 3 chronic urinary toxicity and chronic urinary retention. Both Grade > or =2 (p = 0.001) and Grade 3 (p = 0.03) acute urinary toxicity were predictive for the development of Grade > or =2 (p = 0.001, p = 0.03) and Grade 3 (p = 0.05, p < 0.001) chronic urinary toxicity. On Cox multivariate analysis the development of acute toxicity was independently predictive for the development of both Grade > or =2 and Grade 3 chronic urinary toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: Acute urinary toxicity and bladder wall dose-volume endpoints are strong predictors for the development of subsequent chronic urinary toxicity. Our recommendation is to attempt to limit the bladder wall V30 to <30 cm(3) and the V82 to <7 cm(3) when possible. If bladder wall information is not available, bladder solid V30 and V82 may be used.     

Do dose-volume metrics predict pulmonary function changes in lung irradiation?

PURPOSE: To examine the ability of standard dose-volume metrics to predict pulmonary function changes as measured by pulmonary function tests (PFTs) in a group of patients with non-small-cell lung cancer treated with nonconventional beam arrangements on a Phase I dose-escalation study. In addition, we wanted to examine the correlation between these metrics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-three patients received a median treatment dose of 76.9 Gy (range 63-102.9). Eight patients also received induction chemotherapy with cisplatin and vinorelbine. They all had pre- and posttreatment PFTs >/=3 months (median 6.2) after treatment. The volume of normal lung treated to >20 Gy, effective volume, and mean lung dose were calculated for both lungs for all patients. Linear regression analysis was performed to determine whether correlations existed between the metrics and changes in the PFTs. Additionally, the three metrics were compared with each other to assess the degree of intermetric correlation. RESULTS: No correlation was found between the volume of normal lung treated to >20 Gy, effective volume, and mean lung dose and changes in the PFTs. Subgroup analyses of patients without atelectasis before irradiation, Stage I and II disease, or treatment without induction chemotherapy were also performed. Again, no correlation was found between the dose-volume metrics and the PFT changes. The intermetric correlation was good among all three dose-volume metrics. CONCLUSIONS: In this relatively small series of patients, dose-volume metrics that correlate with the risk of pneumonitis did not provide a good model to predict early changes in pulmonary function as measured with PFTs.     

口腔整体勾画与黏膜表面勾画法预测≥3级急性放射性口腔黏膜反应对比

目的 探讨口腔黏膜表面体积能否替代口腔整体体积,并用于预测≥3级急性口腔黏膜反应。方法 选取2015—2016年间92例行IMRT同步化疗的局部晚期鼻咽癌患者,口腔黏膜勾画分别采用口腔整体勾画法(OCC)和黏膜表面勾画法(MSC)。获取DVH数据并进行不良反应分析。采用ROC曲线和Logistic回归分析法分别对2种勾画方法所得的数据进行统计分析。结果 2种勾画方法均能显示口腔黏膜受照射情况与急性不良反应显著的剂量体积关系。Logistic回归分析结果显示OCC、MSC中≥3级不良反应相关因素均是体重下降(P=0.017、0.005),而剂量学参数相关因素分别为V30(P=0.003)和V50(P=0.003)。ROC曲线分析结果显示OCC的V30曲线下面积为0.753(P=0.001),而MSC的V50曲线下面积为0.714(P=0.004)。结论 口腔黏膜表面DVH分析结果能准确预测IMRT同步化疗的局部晚期鼻咽癌患者口腔黏膜≥3级不良反应,但OCC在临床应用上优于MSC。     

Aggravation of dyspnea in stage I non-small cell lung cancer patients following stereotactic body radiotherapy: Is there a dose-volume dependency?

In SBRT for NSCLC, highly potent radiation doses are delivered to patients with frequent pre-irradiatory compromise of pulmonary function. For the risk of pulmonary toxicity to be minimized during SBRT planning, data on its dose-volume dependency is needed. In the present study, we analyse the association of dose-volume histogram parameters with changes in dyspnea. The study concerns 28 medically inoperable stage I NSCLC patients that received SBRT at our department between 2000 and 2003. A central dose of 45 Gy/3 fractions was delivered in 5-8 days. WHO toxicity scoring of dyspnea was prospectively performed at baseline and during a 6-month follow-up post-SBRT. DVH parameters for pulmonary tissue were retrieved from the 3-D dose distributions.

Aggravated dyspnea was registered in 11 patients (40%). We found no association between DVH parameters and changes in dyspnea. Nor did we find any consistent temporal variations of dyspnea after SBRT. We identified COPD as the factor showing the closest association with aggravation of dyspnea. The observed aggravation of dyspnea following SBRT reflects habitual exacerbations of COPD rather than treatment-related toxicity. Concern about pulmonary toxicity should not be prohibitive for future studies targeting limitations to dose and volume.     

Pulmonary function and quality of life after VMAT-based stereotactic ablative radiotherapy for early stage inoperable NSCLC: a prospective study

ObjectivesTo analyze changes in pulmonary function and quality of life (QoL) at different time points after Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy (SABR) for early stage inoperable lung cancer, and potential correlations between radiation dose-volume parameters and pulmonary toxicity or changes in pulmonary function tests (PFT) and QoL.Materials and methodsFrom July 2012 to October 2013, 30 patients were enrolled in this prospective observational study. Complete PFT were performed and Lung Cancer Symptoms Scale (LCSS) questionnaire administered prior to SABR; all patients then underwent Computed Tomography (CT) scan and PFT at 45, 135, 225 and 315 days after SABR, together with LCSS questionnaire. Clinical lung toxicity and radiological toxicity (acute and late) were prospectively recorded by using the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) scoring system.ResultsA decline in Slow Vital Capacity (SVC), Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 s (FEV₁), Single-breath lung diffusing capacity (D_LCO) and blood partial pressure of oxygen (PaO₂) was seen at 135 days post-SABR. PaO2 values rescued to normal levels at 315 days. None of the baseline PFT parameters resulted to be associated with the occurrence of pulmonary toxicity or with late radiological changes. Mean V5, V10, and V20 and MLD_2Gy were higher in patients who developed radiation pneumonitis, even if not significantly associated at Cox regression analysis. LCSS QoL showed a significant worsening of the single item fatigue at 135 days after SABR.ConclusionsA small (mean 10%) but significant decline in lung volumes and D_LCO was recorded after SABR, with clinical impact of such change difficult to estimate in individual patients. Global QoL was not significantly impaired. Dose-volume parameters did not emerge as significantly predictive of any clinical, radiological or functional toxicity.     

Relationship between the radiation dose of different anatomic bony sites and neutrophil toxicity in three-dimensional radiotherapy concurrent chemotherapy for cervical cancer

Objective To investigate the correlation between radiation dose of the pelvic bone marrow of different anatomical bony sites and the incidence of neutrophil toxicity during the three-dimensional radiotherapy concurrent chemotherapy for cervical cancer. Methods Clinical data of 117 cervical cancer patients who received three-dimensional radiotherapy concurrent chemotherapy from 2016 to 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. The dosimetric parameters included Dmean, V5Gy, V10Gy, V20Gy, V30Gy, V40Gy and V50Gy. The correlation between the dosimetric parameters and the lowest neutrophil count was analyzed by linear regression analysis. Clinicopathological features and dosimetric parameters were included into the multivariate regression analysis model. Results The incidence rates of neutrophil toxicity (grade 1-4) were 10.3%, 27.4%, 11.1% and 10.3%, respectively. The linear regression analysis showed that the Dmean and V50Gy of lumbosacral vertebrae (LS), the Dmean, V5Gy, V10Gy, V20Gy, V30Gy, V40Gy and V50Gy of the ilium were significantly correlated with the grade 2-4 neutrophil toxicity (P=0.035、<0.001、<0.001、=0.001、=0.003、=0.001、<0.001、<0.001、<0.001). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the V20Gy, V30Gy and V50Gy of the LS, the Dmean, V5Gy, V10Gy, V20Gy and V30Gy of the ilium were significantly correlated with thegrade 2-4 neutrophil toxicity (P=0.046、0.038、0.049、0.041、0.039、0.029、0.036、0.029). Conclusion During the process of three-dimensional radiotherapy concurrent chemotherapy for cervical cancer, the volume of medium-and high-dose of LS and the volume of low-and medium-dose of ilium are significantly correlated with the risk of neutrophil toxicity.