Evaluation of the Lung Volume Changes in Patients with Breast Cancer Based on the Received Dose in the Upper and Lower Lobes of the Lung

Document Type : Original Article (s)

Authors

1 MSc Student, Department of Medical Physics, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

2 Professor, Department of Medical Physics, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

3 Assistance Professor, Department of Radiotherapy Oncology, Seyed Alshohada Hospital, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

4 Assistance Professor, Department of Medical Physics, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

Abstract

Background: The development of pulmonary complications after breast radiotherapy is still controversial. These complications might result in temporary or permanent damage to the lung. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in the lung volume parameters (LVP) and to assess their relation with mean dose and the percentage of the lung receiving 20 Gy (V20) in the upper and lower lobes of the lung.Methods: Twenty three patients with breast cancer who underwent locoregional radiotherapy were selected. Six thermoluminescence dosimeters (TLDs) were distributed uniformly throughout the chest phantom to assess the accuracy of lung dose was calculated using treatment planning system (TPS). Body plethysmography was performed before, and 3 and 6 months after radiotherapy.Findings: Changes in LVP showed a decrease 3 months, and a slight improvement 6 months after radiotherapy. The mean percentage decrease in LVP was 0.64% and 0.34%for each Gy increase in mean lung dose (MLD) and for each percentage increase of V20, respectively. There was no significant correlation between changes in LVP with respect to age and concurrent hormonal therapy. The minimum and maximum calculation errors of the TPS were 1.8% and 4.2%, respectively.Conclusion: This study showed that changes in LVP, 3 and 6 months after radiotherapy did not cause pulmonary disease, and the TPS dose distribution was reasonably accurate.

Keywords

References

  1. Banegas MP, Bird Y, Moraros J, King S, Prapsiri S, Thompson B. Breast cancer knowledge, attitudes, and early detection practices in United States-Mexico border Latinas. J Womens Health (Larchmt) 2012; 21(1): 101-7.
  2. Alzoubi AS, Kandaiya S, Shukri A, Elsherbieny E. Contralateral breast dose from chest wall and breast irradiation: Local experience. Australas Phys Eng Sci Med 2010; 33(2): 137-44.
  3. Sacco M, Murgante F, Attanasio S, Fossaceca R, Brambilla M, Krengli M, et al. Breast cancer: High resolution CT in association with spirometric tests in the assessment of post-radiation pulmonary fibrosis. Radiol Med 2005; 110(3): 156-69.
  4. Gross NJ. Pulmonary effects of radiation therapy. Ann Intern Med 1977; 86(1): 81-92.
  5. Lind PA, Rosfors S, Wennberg B, Glas U, Bevegard S, Fornander T. Pulmonary function following adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy for breast cancer and the issue of three-dimensional treatment planning. Radiother Oncol 1998; 49(3): 245-54.
  6. Jaen J, Vazquez G, Alonso E, Leon A, Guerrero R, Almansa JF. Changes in pulmonary function after incidental lung irradiation for breast cancer: A prospective study. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2006; 65(5): 1381-8.
  7. Krengli M, Sacco M, Loi G, Masini L, Ferrante D, Gambaro G, et al. Pulmonary changes after radiotherapy for conservative treatment of breast cancer: a prospective study. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2008; 70(5): 1460-7.
  8. International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements. ICRU report 62: Prescribing, recording and reporting photon beam therapy. Bethesda, MD: ICRU; 1999.
  9. Nielsen MH, Berg M, Pedersen AN, Andersen K, Glavicic V, Jakobsen EH, et al. Delineation of target volumes and organs at risk in adjuvant radiotherapy of early breast cancer: national guidelines and contouring atlas by the Danish Breast Cancer Cooperative Group. Acta Oncol 2013; 52(4): 703-10.
  10. Redpath AT, Thwaites DI, Rodger A, Aitken MW, Hardman PD. A multidisciplinary approach to improving the quality of tangential chest wall and breast irradiation for carcinoma of the breast. Radiother Oncol 1992; 23(2): 118-26.
  11. Theuws JC, Muller SH, Seppenwoolde Y, Kwa SL, Boersma LJ, Hart GA, et al. Effect of radiotherapy and chemotherapy on pulmonary function after treatment for breast cancer and lymphoma: A follow-up study. J Clin Oncol 1999; 17(10): 3091-100.
Journal of Isfahan Medical School
Volume 37, Issue 514 - Serial Number 514
January and February 2019
Pages 60-65

Files

History

  • Receive Date: 12 December 2018
  • Revise Date: 25 May 2024
  • Accept Date: 06 April 2022

Share

How to cite

Statistics