Radiation myelopathy after 36 Gy in 12 fractions palliative chest radiotherapy for squamous cell cancer of the lung: case report and review of published studies.
A 55 year old man was treated with 36 Gy in 12 fractions palliative chest irradiation for squamous cell carcinoma of the lung. This was followed by 3 cycles of cisplatin and gemcitabine. Five months later he developed clinical and imaging findings consistent with radiation myelopathy. The maximum spinal cord dose was 38.9 Gy. The possible contributions of portal imaging and gemcitabine are discussed and the literature reviewed.
Harrington
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Department of Radiation Oncology, Christchurch Hospital, Christchurch, New Zealand. chris.harrington@cdhb.govt.nz
James
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Wynne
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D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D019583:Dose Fractionation, Radiation; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018307:Neoplasms, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D010166:Palliative Care; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000209:etiology*; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D013909:Thorax / Q000528:radiation effects; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D000093542:Gemcitabine
D003841:Deoxycytidine; D002945:Cisplatin; D000093542:Gemcitabine