Dose-volume histogram analysis as predictor of radiation pneumonitis in primary lung cancer patients treated with radiotherapy

PURPOSE: To determine the relationship between various parameters derived from lung dose-volume histogram analysis and the risk of symptomatic radiation pneumonitis (RP) in patients undergoing radical radiotherapy for primary lung cancer. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The records of 156 patients with lung cancer who had been treated with radical radiotherapy (>/=45 Gy) and for whom dose-volume histogram data were available were reviewed. The incidence of symptomatic RP was correlated with a variety of parameters derived from the dose-volume histogram data, including the volume of lung receiving 10 Gy (V(10)) through 50 Gy (V(50)) and the mean lung dose (MLD). RESULTS: The rate of RP at 6 months was 15% (95% confidence interval 9-22%). On univariate analysis, only V(30) (p = 0.036) and MLD (p = 0.043) were statistically significantly related to RP. V(30) correlated highly positively with MLD (r = 0.96, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: V(30) and MLD can be used to predict the risk of RP in lung cancer patients undergoing radical radiotherapy.     

Analysis of dose-volume histogram parameters for radiation pneumonitis after definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy for esophageal cancer

Purpose

To evaluate dose-volume histogram (DVH) parameters as predictors of radiation pneumonitis (RP) in esophageal cancer patients treated with definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy.

Patients and methods

Thirty-seven esophageal cancer patients treated with radiotherapy with concomitant chemotherapy consisting of 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin were reviewed. Radiotherapy was delivered at 2 Gy per fraction to a total of 60 Gy. For most of the patients, two weeks of interruption was scheduled after 30 Gy. The percentage of lung volume receiving more than 5-50 Gy in increments of 5 Gy (V5-V50, respectively), and the mean lung dose (MLD) were analyzed.

Results

Ten (27%) patients developed RP of grade 2; 2 (5%), grade 3; 0 (0%), grade 4; and 1 (3%), grade 5. By univariate analysis, all DVH parameters (i.e., V5-V50 and MLD) were significantly associated with grade ?2 RP (p < 0.01). The incidences of grade ?2 RP were 13%, 33%, and 78% in patients with V20s of ?24%, 25-36%, and ?37%, respectively. The optimal V20 threshold to predict symptomatic RP was 30.5% according to the receiver operating characteristics curve analysis.

Conclusion

DVH parameters were predictors of symptomatic RP and should be considered in the evaluation of treatment planning for esophageal cancer.     

经调强适形放疗治疗的肺癌患者发生放射性肺炎的相关因素分析

 目的　探讨调强适形放疗（IMRT）治疗肺癌发生放射性肺炎（RP）的相关因素,寻找合理的预测性指标,为放疗计划的制定提供参考。方法　对163例经IMRT治疗肺癌患者的临床资料及剂量-体积直方图的相关参数进行量化分析,放疗结束后随访时间≥6个月,应用统计学方法研究其与RP之间的关系。结果　≥2级RP的发生率为28.22 %（46／163）。单因素分析发现下叶肿瘤（P＝0.033）、合并慢性阻塞性肺疾病（COPD）（P＝0.020）、联合化疗（P＝0.020）、未预防性使用糖皮质激素及抗生素（P＝0.025）与RP的发生有关。其中肺基础疾病及联合化疗是影响≥2级RP发生的独立因素。多因素分析表明健侧肺V20、全肺V5及靶区总体积是RP发生的独立影响因素。结论　RP的发生与多种因素相关,放疗计划应根据患者的具体情况合理地制定。     

结合肺灌注影像参数的等效均匀剂量模型与放射性肺炎的相关性研究

背景与目的:目前,临床上用来预测放射性肺损伤的肺剂量体积参数准确度较低,且阈值不统一.该研究通过肺功能影像,探讨结合肺血流参数的等效均匀剂量(equivalent uniform dose,EUD)在预测放射性肺炎方面的价值.方法:将15例肺癌放疗患者肺灌注影像与定位CT影像形变融合,以肺灌注最高计数为归一点,将肺依功能状态分为四级区域,取每级区域中的平均计数与最高计数的比值作为肺灌注系数代入EUD模型中,获得肺部的功能等效均匀剂量(functional equivalent uniform dose,fEUD)模型.比较单肺及双肺的fEUD与不含肺功能指数的等效均匀剂量(general equivalent uniform dose,gEUD)、V5、V20在预测放射性肺炎方面的统计学差异,并进一步分析上述参数的统计学分布特征及彼此之间的相关性.放射性肺炎的判断标准采用不良事件常用术语评定标准(Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events,CTCAE)4.03版肺部症状3级以上,P<0.05为差异有统计学意义.结果:该研究的样本中,当V5、V20等指标显示与放射性肺炎无关时,高剂量侧肺的fEUD值呈现与放射性肺炎显著相关(P=0.007).单侧肺fEUD值与gEUD值呈显著线性关系(t=0.815,P=0.000).结论:单侧肺fEUD较传统剂量-体积指标更好地体现了肺功能不同区域间的放射生物学差异,可以作为放射性肺炎预测指标,建议阈值为21 Gy.     

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。     

细胞因子联合DVH参数预测放射性肺炎的临床研究

目的评价肺癌胸部放疗前及照射40～50 Gy时血浆中TGF-β、IL-6及ACE含量变化、肺受照射剂量体积因素与放射性肺炎发生的关系。方法67例肺癌患者按治疗常规给予放疗或(和)化疗;男60例,女7例,中位年龄58岁(26～81岁)。放疗前、照射40～50 Gy时采血冻存,采用酶联免疫吸附法检测血液中TGF-β、IL-6及ACE含量。放射性肺炎根据CTC AE3.0标准评价,评价终点为≥2级放射性肺炎。结果存活患者中位随访时间22.6个月。2级以上的放射性肺炎发生率25.4%。自放疗开始至发生放射性肺炎的中位时间73天。放疗前、放疗40～50 Gy时血浆中TGF-β、IL-6含量以及其在放疗期间的变化与放射性肺炎无明显相关性。发生放射性肺炎组患者的疗前、疗中血浆ACE含量明显低于未发生肺炎者(P=0.033、0.004)。发生放射性肺炎组的全肺接受10 Gy照射体积(V10)为44%,高于未发生肺炎组的39%(P=0.029)。健肺MLD、V10、V15、V20分别高于未发生肺炎组(1931 cGy:990 cGy、52%:35%、48%:23%、37%:10%,P<0.05)。将生物因素ACE含量和DVH参数联合分析发现疗中血浆ACE含量和全肺V10组合是放射性肺炎最强的预测因素。疗中ACE含量ACE>506 ng/ml且全肺V10≤40%时,放射性肺炎的发生风险最低,13例中无一发生;但如果ACE≤506 ng/ml且全肺V10>40%时,放射性肺炎风险达50%(6/12);其他情况疗中ACE>506 ng/ml且V10>40%或疗中ACE≤506 ng/ml且V10≤40%时,放射性肺炎发生率26.7%(P=0.008)。结论(1)放疗前、放疗中血浆ACE含量低是放射性肺炎发生的高危因素。(2)血浆ACE联合DVH参数V10有望作为预测放射性肺炎发生的指标。     

Symptomatic Radiation Pneumonitis in NSCLC Patients Receiving EGFR-TKIs and Concurrent Once-daily Thoracic Radiotherapy: Predicting the Value of Clinical and Dose-volume Histogram Parameters

Background and objectivesThe incidence of symptomatic radiation pneumonitis (RP) and its relationship with dose-volume histogram (DVH) parameters in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients receiving epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) and concurrent once-daily thoracic radiotherapy (TRT) remain unclear. We aim to analyze the values of clinical factors and dose-volume histogram (DVH) parameters to predict the risk for symptomatic RP in these patients.MethodsBetween 2011 and 2019, we retrospectively analyzed and identified 85 patients who had received EGFR-TKIs and once-daily TRT simultaneously (EGFR-TKIs group) and 129 patients who had received concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT group). The symptomatic RP was recorded according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Event (CTCAE) criteria (grade 2 or above). Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 26.0.ResultsIn total, the incidences of symptomatic (grade≥2) and severe RP (grade≥3) were 43.5% (37/85) and 16.5% (14/85) in EGFR-TKIs group vs 27.1% (35/129) and 10.1% (13/129) in CCRT group respectively. After 1:1 ratio between EGFR-TKIs group and CCRT group was matched by propensity score matching, chi-square test suggested that the incidence of symptomatic RP in the MATCHED EGFR-TKIs group was higher than that in the matched CCRT group (χ²=4.469, P=0.035). In EGFR-TKIs group, univariate and multivariate analyses indicated that the percentage of ipsilateral lung volume receiving ≥30 Gy (ilV₃₀) [odds ratio (OR): 1.163, 95%CI: 1.036-1.306, P=0.011] and the percentage of total lung volume receiving ≥20 Gy (tlV₂₀) (OR: 1.171, 95%CI: 1.031-1.330, P=0.015), with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or not (OR: 0.158, 95%CI: 0.041-0.600, P=0.007), were independent predictors of symptomatic RP. Compared to patients with lower ilV₃₀/tlV₂₀ values (ilV₃₀ and tlV₂₀ < cut-off point values) and without COPD, patients with higher ilV₃₀/tlV₂₀ values (ilV₃₀ and tlV₂₀ > cut-off point values) and COPD had a significantly higher risk for developing symptomatic RP, with a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.350 (95%CI: 1.190-1.531, P < 0.001).ConclusionPatients receiving both EGFR-TKIs and once-daily TRT were more likely to develop symptomatic RP than patients receiving concurrent chemoradiotherapy. The ilV₃₀, tlV₂₀, and comorbidity of COPD may predict the risk of symptomatic RP among NSCLC patients receiving EGFR-TKIs and conventionally fractionated TRT concurrently.     

Exhaled nitric oxide predicts radiation pneumonitis in esophageal and lung cancer patients receiving thoracic radiation

Background and purpose

Radiation pneumonitis is a significant toxicity following thoracic radiotherapy with no method to predict individual risk.

Materials and methods

Sixty-five patients receiving thoracic radiation for lung or esophageal cancer were enrolled in a phase II study. Each patient received respiratory surveys and exhaled nitric oxide measurements before, on the last day of, and 30-60 days after completing radiotherapy (RT). Pneumonitis toxicity was scored using the common terminology criteria for adverse events, version 4.0. The demographics, dosimetric factors, and nitric oxide ratio (NOR) of end RT/pre-RT were evaluated for correlation with symptomatic patients (Grade ?2).

Results

Fifty patients completed the trial. The pneumonitis toxicity score was: Grade 3 for 1 patient, Grade 2 for 6 patients, Grade 1 for 18 patients, and Grade 0 for 25 patients. Dosimetric factors were not predictive of symptoms. The NOR was 3.0 ± 1.8 (range 1.47-6.73) for the symptomatic and 0.78 ± 0.29 (range 0.33-1.37) for the asymptomatic patients (p = 0.006). A threshold NOR of 1.4 separated symptomatic and asymptomatic patients (p < 0.001). The average error was 4%.

Conclusions

Elevation in eNO on the last day of radiotherapy predicted subsequent symptomatic radiation pneumonitis weeks to months after treatment.     

Dose-volume thresholds and smoking status for the risk of treatment-related pneumonitis in inoperable non-small cell lung cancer treated with definitive radiotherapy

Purpose

To identify clinical risk factors and dose-volume thresholds for treatment-related pneumonitis (TRP) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods and materials

Data were retrospectively collected from patients with inoperable NSCLC treated with radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy. TRP was graded according to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 3.0, with time to grade ?3 TRP calculated from start of radiotherapy. Clinical factors and dose-volume parameters were analyzed for their association with risk of TRP.

Results

Data from 576 patients (75% with stage III NSCLC) were included in this study. The Kaplan-Meier estimate of the incidence of grade ?3 TRP at 12 months was 22%. An analysis of dose-volume parameters identified a threshold dose-volume histogram (DVH) curve defined by V₂₀ ?25%, V₂₅ ?20%, V₃₅ ?15%, and V₅₀ ?10%. Patients with lung DVHs satisfying these constraints had only 2% incidence of grade ?3 TRP. Smoking status was the only clinical factor that affected the risk of TRP independent of dosimetric factors.

Conclusions

The risk of TRP varied significantly, depending on radiation dose-volume parameters and patient smoking status. Further studies are needed to identify biological basis of smoking effect and methods to reduce the incidence of TRP.     

放射性肺炎发生的相关因素

放射性肺炎既降低了患者的生活质量,又是胸部肿瘤放疗的剂量限制因素.放射性肺炎是多因素相互作用的结果.剂量体积直方图参数可以用来评价治疗计划的优劣并有效预测放射性肺炎,但是其预测放射性肺损伤的把握度尚欠佳,因此与其他预测因子,如细胞因子联合预测放射性肺炎成为目前研究的热点.     

非小细胞肺癌同期放化疗后重度急性放射性肺炎的预测因素

目的 评价剂量体积直方图参数及临床因素对非细胞肺癌三维适形放疗同期化疗后急性重度放射性肺炎(SARP)的预测价值。方法 回顾分析2006-2010年行三维适形放疗同期化疗的非小细胞肺癌 147例病例资料。对有无SARP的剂量学参数行成组t检验,对有差异的和临床因素行Logistic法多因素预测分析。用受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线分析各剂量学因素的预测价值,Pearson法分析剂量学数据间相关性并从剂量学参数中提取有代表性因子。结果 全组患者SARP发生率为9.5%。平均肺剂量(MLD)、V₂₀、V₃₀、V₄₀、V₅₀与SARP发生相关(χ²=4.87~6.84,P=0.009~0.025)。控制SARP发生率≤5%时的界值分别为MLD≤16.77 Gy,V₂₀≤34.15%, V₃₀≤23.62%, V₄₀≤18.57%, V₅₀≤13.02%, 其敏感性、特异性、ROC曲线下面积分别为78.0%、48.1%、0.678,42.9%、82.0%、0.661,78.6%、52.9%、0.667,71.4%、61.7%、0.677,57.1%、67.7%、0.651。因子分析显示可考虑选取MLD、V₂₀、V₃₀中的1个或2个,V₄₀、V₅₀中的1个用于预测SARP。肿瘤位于右中下肺者SARP发生率高于其他部位(22.2%∶6.7%,χ²=6.19,P=0.023)。结论 MLD、V₂₀、V₃₀、V₄₀、V₅₀可用于放射性肺炎预测,但单个预测价值不佳,要多种参数联合使用。肿瘤位于右肺中下叶者放疗后发生SARP危险性较肿瘤位于其他部位者高。     

肺灌注显像检查预测肺癌放射性肺损伤的价值

目的探讨肺癌患者肺灌注显像的特点及其放射治疗过程中的变化,观察其与放射性肺损伤发生的关系。方法31例接受根治性放疗的肺癌患者接受了肺灌注显像检查,其中8例仅在放疗前接受了此项检查。以照射前后计算区域的肺灌注平均计数值占相应全肺平均计数值的百分比,比较照射前后肺灌注的变化。放射性肺损伤的评价按美国肿瘤放射治疗组（RTOG）急性放射性肺炎标准评定。结果31例患者中,中央型22例,周围型9例。病理类型：鳞癌12例,腺癌1例,小细胞肺癌15例,未分型3例。Ⅰ、Ⅱ期8例,Ⅲa期9例,Ⅲb期14例。行适形放疗26例,常规放疗5例;照射剂量32—72Gy,中位剂量58Gy。6例发生2级或3级放射性肺炎,无放射性肺炎死亡病例。全部患者治疗前均有不同程度的灌注受损,中央型肺癌患者灌注受损范围≥2级者占68．2％（15／99）,而周围型仅占22．2％（2／9,P=0．04）。受损范围为1级和2级以上者,分别有40．0％（6／15）和37．5％（6／16）的患者发生2级以上放射性肺损伤。在两次行肺灌注检查的23例中,肺灌注受损有所改善者占70．0％（16／23）,其中2级以上放射性肺炎发生率为31．3％（5／16）;在肺灌注受损加重者中,2级以上放射性肺炎发生率为42．9％（3／7）。结论灌注受损是肺癌患者的常见表现,中央型肺癌灌注受损较重,放射治疗后多数病例肺灌注受损有所改善;放疗前和放疗中,肺灌注受损范围的变化和放射性肺损伤的发生无明显相关性。     

CT图像影像组学特征参数变化与放射性肺炎的相关性研究

目的 应用影像组学技术分析发生放射性肺炎(RP)的肺癌患者定位及复位CT图像特征参数变化,筛选与RP发生密切相关的指标。方法 选取放疗后经过随访发生2级及以上RP的肺癌患者31例,获取其放疗前的定位CT图像和经过40 Gy放疗后的复位CT图像,将患侧肺和健侧肺设置为提取参数的ROI,在完成正常肺组织自动分割后,使用IBEX软件进行radiomics特征参数的提取,比较这些特征参数在定位和复位CT图像中的差异。结果 (1)每个时段的单侧肺分别提取了86个有效参数指标;(2)放疗前患侧肺和健侧肺差异有统计学意义的参数指标有22个;(3)复位CT中健侧肺和患侧肺差异有统计学意义的参数有12个;(4)患侧肺放疗前后差异有统计学意义的参数有28个;(5)健侧肺放疗前后差异有统计学意义的参数有28个。结论 在发生RP的肺癌患者中,部分CT影像组学特征在定位和复位CT间差异显著,对这些指标动态变化的追踪分析具有预测RP发生的潜在优势。     

Analysis of radiation pneumonitis risk using a generalized Lyman model

PURPOSE: To introduce a version of the Lyman normal-tissue complication probability (NTCP) model adapted to incorporate censored time-to-toxicity data and clinical risk factors and to apply the generalized model to analysis of radiation pneumonitis (RP) risk. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Medical records and radiation treatment plans were reviewed retrospectively for 576 patients with non-small cell lung cancer treated with radiotherapy. The time to severe (Grade >/=3) RP was computed, with event times censored at last follow-up for patients not experiencing this endpoint. The censored time-to-toxicity data were analyzed using the standard and generalized Lyman models with patient smoking status taken into account. RESULTS: The generalized Lyman model with patient smoking status taken into account produced NTCP estimates up to 27 percentage points different from the model based on dose-volume factors alone. The generalized model also predicted that 8% of the expected cases of severe RP were unobserved because of censoring. The estimated volume parameter for lung was not significantly different from n = 1, corresponding to mean lung dose. CONCLUSIONS: NTCP models historically have been based solely on dose-volume effects and binary (yes/no) toxicity data. Our results demonstrate that inclusion of nondosimetric risk factors and censored time-to-event data can markedly affect outcome predictions made using NTCP models.     

Modeling radiation pneumonitis risk with clinical, dosimetric, and spatial parameters

PURPOSE: To determine the clinical, dosimetric, and spatial parameters that correlate with radiation pneumonitis. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Patients treated with high-dose radiation for non-small-cell lung cancer with three-dimensional treatment planning were reviewed for clinical information and radiation pneumonitis (RP) events. Three-dimensional treatment plans for 219 eligible patients were recovered. Treatment plan information, including parameters defining tumor position and dose-volume parameters, was extracted from non-heterogeneity-corrected dose distributions. Correlation to RP events was assessed by Spearman's rank correlation coefficient (R). Mathematical models were generated that correlate with RP. RESULTS: Of 219 patients, 52 required treatment for RP (median interval, 142 days). Tumor location was the most highly correlated parameter on univariate analysis (R = 0.24). Multiple dose-volume parameters were correlated with RP. Models most frequently selected by bootstrap resampling included tumor position, maximum dose, and D35 (minimum dose to the 35% volume receiving the highest doses) (R = 0.28). The most frequently selected two- or three-parameter models outperformed commonly used metrics, including V20 (fractional volume of normal lung receiving >20 Gy) and mean lung dose (R = 0.18). CONCLUSIONS: Inferior tumor position was highly correlated with pneumonitis events within our population. Models that account for inferior tumor position and dosimetric information, including both high- and low-dose regions (D(35), International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements maximum dose), risk-stratify patients more accurately than any single dosimetric or clinical parameter.     

Radiation pneumonitis following concurrent accelerated hyperfractionated radiotherapy and chemotherapy for limited-stage small-cell lung cancer: Dose-volume histogram analysis and comparison with conventional chemoradiation

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was twofold: to determine whether the dose-volume metrics are valuable in predicting radiation pneumonitis (RP) in small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients treated with accelerated hyperfractionated radiotherapy and chemotherapy (AHFRT + CT); and to clarify how AHFRT influences the risk of RP in comparison to conventional once-daily radiotherapy and chemotherapy (QDRT + CT). METHODS AND MATERIALS: Study subjects were 43 patients with SCLC treated with AHFRT + CT. Radiotherapy was delivered at 1.5 Gy/fraction (fr) twice daily to 45 Gy/30 fr/3 weeks. We analyzed the relation between RP incidence and several dosimetric factors. We also compared this series data with our previously published data from lung cancer patients treated with QDRT + CT. RESULTS: Radiation pneumonitis Grades 1, 2, and 3 were observed in 28 patients, 7 patients, and 1 patient, respectively. Univariate analysis revealed that the percentage of lung volume receiving more than 15 Gy, 20 Gy, and 30 Gy (V15, V20, V30) and normal tissue complication probability were of predictive value for the development of RP. The 12-month cumulative incidences of RP greater than Grade 2 were 0%, 7.1%, 25%, and 42.9% in patients with a V20 of < or =20%, 21-25%, 26-30%, and > or =31%, respectively. These incidences were lower than that of our patients treated with QDRT + CT. CONCLUSIONS: Dosimetric factors are valuable in predicting RP in SCLC patients treated with AHFRT + CT. Regarding the incidence of RP, AHFRT appears to have some advantage over QDRT.     

A case of metachronous bilateral Breast Cancer with bilateral radiation pneumonitis after breast-conserving therapy

We report a patient with metachronous bilateral breast cancer who has twice developed radiation pneumonitis after breast-conserving therapy for each breast. The patient was a 48-year-old woman, who presented with Stage I right breast cancer. After wide excision of the right breast tumor and dissection of level I axillary lymph nodes, systemic therapy with oral 5-FU and tamoxifen was started. Subsequently, tangential irradiation with a total dose of 50 Gy in 25 fractions was given. Seven months after irradiation, she developed respiratory symptoms and radiation pneumonitis was diagnosed. The symptoms resolved with oral prednisolone. Thirty months after the right breast cancer treatment, Stage I left breast cancer was diagnosed. After wide excision of the left breast tumor and partial removal of the level I axillary lymph nodes, the same oral systemic chemo-hormonal therapy was initiated. Thereafter, tangential irradiation with a total dose of 50 Gy in 25 fractions was given. Four months after irradiation, she developed respiratory symptoms. A chest X-ray showed an area of increased density in the left lung consistent with radiation pneumonitis. The symptoms were mild and they improved spontaneously without medication. Although there is insufficient evidence to justify or withhold whole breast radiation therapy from patients with a history of contralateral breast cancer and radiation pneumonitis, it is essential to discuss the adequacy of whole breast irradiation and the possibility of alternative approaches, such as breast-conserving surgery without irradiation or partial breast irradiation for this rare condition.