Radiation-induced lung injury is a general term for damage to the lungs which occurs as a result of exposure to ionizing radiation. In general terms, such damage is divided into early inflammatory damage (radiation pneumonitis) and later complications of chronic scarring (radiation fibrosis). Radiation-induced lung injury most commonly occurs as a result of radiation therapy administered to treat cancer.[1]
The lungs are the most radiosensitive organ, and radiation pneumonitis can occur leading to pulmonary insufficiency and death (100% after exposure to 50 gray of radiation), in a few months.
Radiation pneumonitis is characterized by:[2]
[edit] References
|
|
|
Upper RT
(including URTIs,
Common cold) |
|
|
Lower RT/lung disease
(including LRTIs) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pneumoconiosis ( Asbestosis, Baritosis, Bauxite fibrosis, Berylliosis, Caplan's syndrome, Chalicosis, Coalworker's pneumoconiosis, Siderosis, Silicosis, Talcosis, Byssinosis)
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis ( Bagassosis, Bird fancier's lung, Farmer's lung, Lycoperdonosis)
|
|
|
Other
|
|
|
|
|
Obstructive or
restrictive
|
|
|
|
By pathogen
|
|
|
|
By vector/route
|
|
|
|
By distribution
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other
|
|
|
|
|
Pleural cavity/
mediastinum |
|
|
| Other/general |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| General |
|
|
| Conditions |
|
|
| Treatments |
|
|
