TITLE:
Correlation between the Changes in Lung Function and Lung Density Changes in Patients Following Radio- (Chemo-) Therapy for Thoracic Carcinomas
AUTHORS:
Christina Schroeder, Rita Engenhart-Cabillic, Sven Kirschner, Eyck Blank, André Buchali
KEYWORDS:
Lung, Thoracic Neoplasms, Radiation Injuries, Pulmonary Fibrosis, Lung Function
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Cancer Therapy,
Vol.10 No.3,
March
22,
2019
ABSTRACT: Purpose: In this analysis we focused on
the correlation of patients’ lung function (PFT) data and lung density changes
(ΔHU) detected in follow-up CTs. Material
and Methods: PFT and lung function data were available for 58 patients 12 weeks and 47 patients 6 months after radio- (chemo-) therapy for thoracic carcinomas (NSCLC, SCLC and esophageal carcinoma).
The follow-up CT scans were matched with the planning CT scans of each patient and
then subtracted to calculate ΔHU for each voxel using customized research
software. PFT data regarding e.g. vital capacity (VC), total lung capacity
(TLC) and diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) were
collected before and at several follow-up appointments after treatment. Results: 12 weeks after therapy
there was a statistically significant correlation between difference in DLCO and the maximum ΔHU as well as the difference in TLC and the minimum ΔHU. 6
months after treatment there was a significant correlation between the
difference in VC and DLCO with numerous lung density parameters,
e.g. the mean and median lung density changes and the 75th percentile of ΔHU. There was no significant correlation between the PFT parameters
FEV1, pCO2 and pO2 and any lung density parameter at any
follow-up appointment. Conclusion: There is a significant correlation between
DLCO and ΔHU 6 months after treatment that most likely reflects the
underlying pathological mechanisms in terms of the development of fibrotic lung
tissue after RT. The relevance of the significant correlations 12 weeks after
RT is questionable.