Hazard of acute radiation pneumonitis in children receiving mediastinal radiation

Two children are described who developed fatal pneumonitis after receiving what is considered to be an acceptable dose of irradiation to the whole thorax, plus additional radiotherapy to the mediastinum. The authors conclude that irradiation to the whole thorax with addition of further radiotherapy to the mediastinum is likely to cause severe acute radiation pneumonitis. The use of concomitant chemotherapy may accentuate the hazard. Cancer 33:1520–1525, 1974.