Radiogenous pneumopathia in irradiated breast carcinoma - a follow-up evaluation from chest radiographs

In 232 surgically treated and irradiated patients with breast carcinoma 27 cases of radiogeneous pneumopathia were found and analyzed in the chest radiograph. Special attention was given to the evaluation of the stage and the course of the radiation pneumonitis. No correlation between clinical results and X-ray symptoms was seen. Not every roentgenologically diagnosed pneumonitis is seen in the late follow-up as a fibrosis. The reasons for this are discussed. For the improved detectability of pneumonitic changes in the p.a. or lateral image no significant differences were found and no general rules. Additional CT investigations of the chest demonstrated the radiogeneous lung changes more clearly and more exactly in its depths. Therefore an exact use of CT in the diagnosis of pneumonitis can be useful, but must be seen under the aspects of relevant therapy, the availability of methods and economics. (author)