On the relation of scintigraphic changes in radiation pneumonitis to preliminary pathology and age

The results are reported from scintigraphic studies in 125 patients with breast cancer subjected to postoperative radiation therapy by means of telegammatherapy ''Rokus'' apparatus with a total dose of 3500-5000 rads. A quantitative and qualitative evaluation is made of the radiometrically detected changes in the vascular trunk of a pulmonalis in patients with and without preliminary to the radiation treatment pulmonary disorders also depending upon age. It is established that the frequency and the degree of the radiation damage of the lungs depend upon the condition of the lung tissues prior to irradiation. It is pointed out that in patients with alterations preceeding radiation treatment the radiation damage is more marked and is more intensive, runs a more protracted course and holds less chances for a compensatory reaction and recovery. No accessible scintigraphic differences are recorded as being related to age with regard to the degree of radiation damage whereas a reflectory compensatory reaction is almost absent in the acute stage of radiation pneumonitis in the younger age groups being dramatically manifested during the late stage of radiation pneumonitis. (author)