Filling in of radiation therapy-induced bronchiectatic change: a reliable sign of locally recurrent lung cancer.

Abstract

To determine if filling in of radiation therapy-induced bronchiectatic change is a reliable computed tomographic (CT) sign of locally recurrent lung cancer. The study included 28 patients who were free of disease and had stable radiation therapy-induced consolidation in ectatic bronchi at least 9 months after completion of radiation therapy for non-small cell lung cancer. Serial CT scans were retrospectively reviewed for evidence of local recurrence. Filling in of previously patent ectatic bronchi occurred in the 20 patients with recurrent disease. Filling in was the first sign of recurrence in six patients (30%), was seen concurrently with other evidence of local recurrence in 11 (55%), and was seen after the occurrence of other signs in three (15%). Eight patients with stable radiation-induced fibrosis and patent bronchi remained disease free. Filling in of radiation therapy-induced bronchiectatic change is a reliable CT sign of locally recurrent lung cancer.