In the radiotherapeutic treatment of lung cancer, the dose that can be safely applied to the tumour is limited by the risk of radiation induced lung damage. This damage is characterized by parenchymal damage and vascular damage. In rats, we have found that radiation-induced vascular damage results in increased pulmonary artery pressure. Interestingly, the consequent loss of pulmonary function could be fully explained by this increase in pulmonary artery pressure. We hypothesize that also in patients a radiation induced increase in pulmonary artery pressure can be observed after radiotherapy, which may contribute to the development of radiation pneumonitis. The objective is to test the hypothesis that radiotherapy for lung cancer induces an increase in pulmonary artery pressure.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
9
University Medical Center Groningen
Groningen, Netherlands
Changes in pulmonary artery pressure
Time frame: 6 and 12 weeks after completion chemoradiotherapy
Pulmonary artery velocity; right ventricle (RV) dimensions and RV-function
Time frame: 6 and 12 weeks after completion chemoradiotherapy
The assessment of RV-dimensions and RV-function
Time frame: 6 and 12 weeks after completion chemoradiotherapy
The incidence of clinical signs of radiation pneumonitis according to SWOG-criteria
Time frame: 6 weeks after completion treatment
The incidence of radiological signs of pulmonary fibrosis according to CTCAE4.0
Time frame: 12 weeks after completion of treatment
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