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Title: Complications associated with brachytherapy alone or with laser in lung cancer

Abstract

Relatively little has been reported about destruction through brachytherapy of mucosa-perforating and extraluminary tumors with probable large vessel involvement causing major hemorrhagic or fistular complications. We report 12 patients subjected to laser and brachytherapy for centrally occluding lung cancer, whom we have periodically followed up from June 1986 until they died. Although all laser procedures were free from complications, necrotic cavitation in five cases, two of which were accompanied by large bronchoesophageal fistulas, and massive fatal hemoptysis occurred in six. Minor complications included radiation mucositis (two), noncritical mucosal scarring (two), and cough (four). Characteristics that will identify patients at risk of developing fatal hemoptysis and fistulas should be better defined by imaging and endoscopic techniques. In such cases, modifying the protocol or using alternative procedures should be considered. Minor complications, such as cough, can be avoided by using topical steroid therapy (eg, beclomethasone dipropionate).

Authors:
; ; ;  [1]
  1. Augusta Teaching Hospital, Bochum (West Germany)
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
5546485
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Chest; (USA)
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 99:5; Journal ID: ISSN 0012-3692
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.; 62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE; CARCINOMAS; RADIOTHERAPY; LUNGS; SIDE EFFECTS; RESPIRATORY SYSTEM; BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS; BRONCHI; IRIDIUM ISOTOPES; LASER RADIATION; MUCOUS MEMBRANES; BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS; BODY; DISEASES; ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION; ISOTOPES; MEDICINE; MEMBRANES; NEOPLASMS; NUCLEAR MEDICINE; ORGANS; RADIATION EFFECTS; RADIATIONS; RADIOLOGY; THERAPY; 560151* - Radiation Effects on Animals- Man; 550603 - Medicine- External Radiation in Therapy- (1980-)

Citation Formats

Khanavkar, B, Stern, P, Alberti, W, and Nakhosteen, J A. Complications associated with brachytherapy alone or with laser in lung cancer. United States: N. p., 1991. Web. doi:10.1378/chest.99.5.1062.
Khanavkar, B, Stern, P, Alberti, W, & Nakhosteen, J A. Complications associated with brachytherapy alone or with laser in lung cancer. United States. https://doi.org/10.1378/chest.99.5.1062
Khanavkar, B, Stern, P, Alberti, W, and Nakhosteen, J A. 1991. "Complications associated with brachytherapy alone or with laser in lung cancer". United States. https://doi.org/10.1378/chest.99.5.1062.
@article{osti_5546485,
title = {Complications associated with brachytherapy alone or with laser in lung cancer},
author = {Khanavkar, B and Stern, P and Alberti, W and Nakhosteen, J A},
abstractNote = {Relatively little has been reported about destruction through brachytherapy of mucosa-perforating and extraluminary tumors with probable large vessel involvement causing major hemorrhagic or fistular complications. We report 12 patients subjected to laser and brachytherapy for centrally occluding lung cancer, whom we have periodically followed up from June 1986 until they died. Although all laser procedures were free from complications, necrotic cavitation in five cases, two of which were accompanied by large bronchoesophageal fistulas, and massive fatal hemoptysis occurred in six. Minor complications included radiation mucositis (two), noncritical mucosal scarring (two), and cough (four). Characteristics that will identify patients at risk of developing fatal hemoptysis and fistulas should be better defined by imaging and endoscopic techniques. In such cases, modifying the protocol or using alternative procedures should be considered. Minor complications, such as cough, can be avoided by using topical steroid therapy (eg, beclomethasone dipropionate).},
doi = {10.1378/chest.99.5.1062},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/5546485}, journal = {Chest; (USA)},
issn = {0012-3692},
number = ,
volume = 99:5,
place = {United States},
year = {Wed May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1991},
month = {Wed May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1991}
}