Lung, breast, and esophageal cancer represent three common malignancies with high incidence and mortality worldwide. The management of these tumors critically relies on radiotherapy as a major part of multi-modality care, and treatment-related toxicities, such as radiation-induced pneumonitis and/or lung fibrosis, are important dose limiting factors with direct impact on patient outcomes and quality of life. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of radiation-induced pneumonitis and pulmonary fibrosis, present predictive factors as well as recent diagnostic and therapeutic advances. Novel candidates for molecularly targeted approaches to prevent and/or treat radiation-induced pneumonitis and pulmonary fibrosis are discussed.
- Käsmann, L.
- Dietrich, A.
- Staab-Weijnitz, C. A.
- Manapov, F.
- Behr, J.
- Rimner, A.
- Jeremic, B.
- Senan, S.
- De Ruysscher, D.
- Lauber, K.
- Belka, C.
Keywords
- Humans
- Pulmonary Fibrosis/diagnosis/*etiology/therapy
- Radiation Injuries/diagnosis/*etiology/therapy
- Radiation Pneumonitis/diagnosis/*etiology/therapy
- Radiotherapy Dosage