Abstract
Radiotherapy may cause severe adverse effects, targeting numerous organs including respiratory system. Radiation energy agitates electrons in lung tissue and produces a number of tissue-damaging free radicals. The injury may be immediate (intracellular protein denaturation, membrane disruption) or delayed (alterations of DNA) reactions in lung tissue. Several studies showed that unilateral thoracic radiation causes bilateral lymphocytic alveolitis similar to that of hypersensitivity pneumonitis. A similar immunologic reaction is responsible for producing migratory pneumonitis in patients receiving breast radiotherapy. Thus, radiation-induced lung diseases can be classified into immediate (radiation-induced bronchitis), delayed (radiation-induced pneumonitis), and immunologic (migratory pneumonitis due to breast irradiation) (Table 14.1).
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© 2006 Springer-Verlag London Limited
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(2006). Radiation-induced Lung Diseases. In: Clinical Atlas of Interstitial Lung Disease. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84628-326-0_14
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84628-326-0_14
Publisher Name: Springer, London
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