Lung EBRT Side Effects Flashcards
What are the side effects of radiation therapy to the lung?
Pneumonitis, esophagitis, dysphagia, and odynophagia.
What is esophagitis?
Inflammation of the esophagus that can be addressed with medication and monitored diet.
When does painful swallowing typically occur during treatment?
About 3 weeks into treatment at 30 Gy.
How long does esophagitis resolve after treatment?
1-2 weeks after treatment is completed.
How does chemotherapy affect radiation therapy side effects?
The reaction is more severe if chemotherapy is given concurrently.
What is esophageal stricture?
Narrowing of the esophagus due to high dose to the mediastinum.
What is pericarditis?
Inflammation of the heart following a large dose to the heart.
What is radiation pneumonitis?
A condition that can start as early as 20 Gy and occurs 6-22 weeks after treatment. Symptoms include cough, fever, dyspnea, and chest fullness.
Treat with O2, Prednisone, and antibiotics.
What is the effect of radiation on the diaphragm?
Radiation causes a fibrosis reaction of the involved lung, leading to elevation of the hemi diaphragm. This results in scar tissue and damages the mobility of the diaphragm, which is irreversible.
What is transverse myelitis?
Inflammation of both sides of the spinal cord, rarely observed if the radiotherapy dose to the spinal cord is limited to 45 Gy or less.
It is based on total dose and length of cord irradiated.
