Distinguishing Radiation Pneumonitis from Local Tumour Recurrence Following SBRT for Lung Cancer

摘要

Radiation pneumonitis is one of the most common toxicities following SBRT for lung cancer. Although local control rates are good, a recurrent tumour is difficult to distinguish from radiation pneumonitis due to similar size and morphology. Therefore, early detection of a recurrent tumour is challenging, and moreover, it is crucial for affected patients, as early detection enables curative salvage therapy. Promising data exists to solve these challenges for late recurrences, for example, the analysis of high-risk CT features allows prediction of recurrence after 12 months. But particularly in cases of early recurrences and radiation pneumonitis, comprehensive data are lacking. Therefore, the aim of this study was to review the existing literature with special regard to radiological response assessment after stereotactic body radiotherapy and risk factors for predicting radiation pneumonitis or local recurrence.