Another work indicates that there were no differences between a T-bar immobilization device and a system using chemical foams. Other works indicate that internal motion of bronchial tumors can vary greatly, depending on their location. A number of clinical groups are looking at minimizing the consequences of internal motion, but the currently proposed techniques appear to be cumbersome. New studies will be necessary in order to improve the knowledge of daily positioning and the effect of internal motion. Until then, it is essential to take care when considering narrow margins in conformal radiotherapy of non-small cell lung cancer.
Radiation pneumonitis is the restricting complication following lung cancer irradiation.
Clinical evaluation, CT scan, and pulmonary functional tests were performed before and 6 weeks after irradiation. The DVHs were calculated applying lung density heterogeneity. Twenty patients had radiation pneumonitis. Irradiation significantly decreased total lung capacity. DVHs combined with initial pulmonary functional tests can predict pulmonary toxicity and could allow us to adjust volume that received total highest dose with acceptable toxicity.