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Imaging the Chest Following Radiation Therapy

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Book cover Lung Cancer Imaging

Part of the book series: Contemporary Medical Imaging ((CMI))

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Abstract

External beam radiation therapy is used in the treatment of pulmonary, mediastinal, and chest wall malignancies, including primarily lung carcinoma, breast carcinoma, and lymphoma. Radiation therapy may be used alone or in conjunction with chemotherapy, surgery, or both, for either palliation or cure. The lung is the primary dose-limiting structure in the chest, and radiation-induced lung injury resulting in pneumonitis, fibrosis, or both markedly limits the total dose of radiation that can be safely administered. Additionally, radiation pneumonitis can be one of the most severe complications of total body radiation therapy. Imaging plays a central role in the follow-up of patients treated for lung carcinoma. The imaging features of radiation-induced lung injury can be fairly specific, and recognition of these findings can aid in distinguishing recurrent neoplasm or infection from radiation pneumonitis or radiation fibrosis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, 600 Highland Ave, MC 3252, Madison, WI, 53792, USA

    Jeffrey P. Kanne M.D.

  2. Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA

    J. David Godwin M.D.

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  1. Jeffrey P. Kanne M.D.
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  2. J. David Godwin M.D.
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Correspondence to Jeffrey P. Kanne M.D. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Medical University of South Carolina, Department of Radiology, Ashley Ave. 169, Charleston, 29425, South Carolina, USA

    James G. Ravenel

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Kanne, J.P., Godwin, J.D. (2013). Imaging the Chest Following Radiation Therapy. In: Ravenel, J. (eds) Lung Cancer Imaging. Contemporary Medical Imaging. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60761-620-7_13

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60761-620-7_13

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