Changes in lung volume parameters regarding the received dose in the lobes of the lungs after locoregional radiotherapy of breast cancer

Mahsa Abdemanafi; Mohammad Bagher Tavakoli; Ali Akhavan; Iraj Abedi

doi:10.1016/j.rpor.2019.09.005

Changes in lung volume parameters regarding the received dose in the lobes of the lungs after locoregional radiotherapy of breast cancer

Rep Pract Oncol Radiother. 2019 Nov-Dec;24(6):556-562. doi: 10.1016/j.rpor.2019.09.005. Epub 2019 Oct 16.

Authors

Mahsa Abdemanafi¹, Mohammad Bagher Tavakoli¹, Ali Akhavan², Iraj Abedi¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Medical Physics, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
² Department of Radiotherapy Oncology, Seyed Alshohada Hospital, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.

Abstract

Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate ΔLVP and correlate them with MLD and V20 in the lobes of the lung.

Background: Radiation-induced lung injury after breast irradiation is controversial. The incidence of such an injury could have negative consequences on breast cancer patients.

Materials and methods: Twenty-three women treated with Breast-conserving surgery, chemotherapy, and locoregional RT underwent body plethysmography pre-RT and 3 and 6 months post-RT. Statistical analysis was used to evaluate ΔLVP over time and relate them with MLD, V20, age, and concurrent hormonal therapy.

Results: LVP decreased after 3 months and then showed a slight improvement by returning partially to their pre-RT values after 6 months. The mean ΔLVP was -0.64% for one Gy increase of MLD and -0.34% for one percent increase of V20 after 3 months. After 6 months, only ΔVC showed 0.45% reduction with MLD in the upper lobe. Finally, there was no significant correlation between ΔLVP with respect to age and concurrent hormonal therapy.

Conclusions: The results of this study showed that lung volume changes were not a cause for concern in breast cancer patients. There are three reasons to support this conclusion. Lung volume changes and percentage reductions in LVP for each Gy increase of MLD and each percentage increase of V20 in each lobe were small; patients were asymptomatic during the follow-up period; and LVP showed partial improvements after 6 months.

Keywords: Breast cancer; Lobes of the lungs; Loco-regional radiotherapy; Lung volume parameters; Received dose.