title: Radiation recall dermatitis and pneumonitis in a patient treated with paclitaxel.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Radiation recall refers to a tissue reaction produced by a chemotherapeutic agent in a previously irradiated field that would not occur in a nonirradiated field. A number of agents have been reported to cause radiation recall. Recently, there have been case reports of recall dermatitis from paclitaxel treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  A patient with metastatic lung cancer received palliative radiation to her mediastinum and ribs. Because of disease progression, she subsequently received paclitaxel.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After paclitaxel administration, the patient became acutely dyspneic. A subsequent chest X-ray revealed a parenchymal opacity in a region that corresponded with the patient's radiation portal. She also developed a severe skin reaction in the previously treated electron field.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is one of few reported cases of recall dermatitis from paclitaxel and is also suggestive of recall pneumonitis, a phenomenon previously unreported to the authors' knowledge. Given paclitaxel's ability to function as a radiosensitizer, this response is not unexpected. As the frequency of paclitaxel administration increases, its potential as a radiation sensitizer and radiation recall should be considered.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, UCLA Medical Center 90024, USA.
authors.forename: V G
authors.initials: VG
authors.lastname: Schweitzer
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Juillard
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Bajada
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Parker
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000628:therapy*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003872:Dermatitis / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D017239:Paclitaxel