Clinical Study of Radiation Pneumonitis Over 10 Years

We studied clinical aspects of radiation pneumonitis from 1983 to 1992. Fifty seven patients admitted to our hospital because of lung cancer were treated with radiotherapy, and radiation pneumonitis developed in 20 (35.1%). The incidence of radiation pneumonitis was closely related to male sex, chronic obstructive lung disease, and chemotherapy. Pneumonitis was not related to age, or to the area or amount of radiation. Eighteen cases (90%) of pneumonitis occurred during or within one month after radiotherapy. In all but five cases (25%), pneumonitis was limited to the area of radiation. Treatment was mainly with steroids. In 4 cases (20%), pneumonitis recurred when steroid therapy was reduced, and five patients (10%) died.