Dosimetric predictors of radiation esophagitis in patients treated for non-small-cell lung cancer with carboplatin/paclitaxel/radiotherapy.
OBJECTIVE
To establish dosimetric predictors of radiation esophagitis (RE) in patients treated with a combination of carboplatin, paclitaxel, and radiotherapy.


METHODS
Three-dimensional radiotherapy plans of 26 patients with non-small-cell lung cancer who received 50-60 Gy of radiotherapy concurrently with weekly administration of carboplatin (AUC 2) and paclitaxel (40-45 mg/m(2)) were reviewed in conjunction with RE. The factors analyzed included the following: percentages of organ volumes receiving >40 Gy (V40), >45 Gy (V45), >50 Gy (V50), and >55 Gy (V55); the length of esophagus (total circumference) treated with >40 Gy (LETT40), >45 Gy (LETT45), >50 Gy (LETT50), and >55 Gy (LETT55); the maximum dose in the esophagus (Dmax); and the mean dose in the esophagus (Dmean). Data were obtained on the basis of superposition algorithm.


RESULTS
All factors except Dmax showed statistical correlation with RE. Good correlations were shown between RE and LETT45 (rho = 0.714) and V45 (rho = 0.686).


CONCLUSIONS
LETT45 and V45 appear to be useful dosimetric predictors of RE. It is also suggested that Dmax does not predict RE.
Hirota
S
S
Department of Radiology, Hyogo Medical Center for Adults, Akashi, Japan. ka3s-hrt@asahi-net.or.jp
Tsujino
K
K
Endo
M
M
Kotani
Y
Y
Satouchi
M
M
Kado
T
T
Hishikawa
Y
Y
Obayashi
K
K
Takada
Y
Y
Kono
M
M
Abe
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019540:Area Under Curve; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004941:Esophagitis / Q000209:etiology*; D004945:Esophagoscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000209:etiology*; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D020266:Radiotherapy, Conformal
D016190:Carboplatin; D017239:Paclitaxel