Clinical Report: Identifying Risk Factors for Radiation Pneumonitis in Breast Cancer Patients

Overview

This study identifies significant risk factors for radiation pneumonitis (RP) in breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant radiotherapy. Key factors include mean lung dose (MLD), the number of chemotherapy cycles, and chest wall plus supraclavicular plus internal mammary lymph node irradiation (CSI). A retrospective analysis was performed on 811 female patients to investigate these risk factors.

Background

Radiation pneumonitis is a common complication in breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy, impacting pulmonary function and quality of life. Understanding the risk factors associated with RP is crucial. This study aims to delineate these risk factors.

Data Highlights

Key Findings

• MLD is a significant risk factor for RP with an OR of 11.136.

• The number of chemotherapy cycles is associated with RP, with an OR of 2.739.

• CSI is identified as a risk factor for RP with an OR of 5.654.

• Diagnostic sensitivity and specificity for RP prediction using MLD = 12.70 Gy are 0.898 and 0.965, respectively.

• Bootstrap internal validation confirmed the robustness of the findings.

Clinical Implications

Consideration of MLD, the number of chemotherapy cycles, and CSI is important when assessing the risk of RP in breast cancer patients.

Conclusion

The study confirms that MLD, the number of chemotherapy cycles, and CSI are risk factors for RP in breast cancer patients.

Related Resources & Content

1. Kumar et al, Radiotherapy and Oncology, 2025 -- Risk Factors for Radiation Pneumonitis in Breast Cancer Patients

2. Moskowitz et al, Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2021 -- Breast Cancer Risk Prediction Model for Childhood Cancer Survivors Who Received Chest Radiation

3. Jensen et al, The Lancet Oncology, 2025 -- Mortality Associated With Risk-Adapted Adjuvant Therapy in Postmenopausal Women With Early Breast Cancer

4. Journal of Neuro-Oncology — Creation of a Recursive Partitioning Model to Forecast Radiation Necrosis After Single-Fraction Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Unresected Brain Metastases

5. The ASCO Post — SIDEBAR: Left-sided Adjuvant Breast Radiotherapy: A Change of Heart? Related Articles

6. Diagnosis and treatment of radiation induced pneumonitis in patients with lung cancer: An ESTRO clinical practice guideline

7. Postmastectomy Radiation Therapy: An ASTRO-ASCO-SSO Clinical Practice Guideline

8. Deep inspiration breath hold versus free breathing in postoperative radiotherapy strategy for patients with left-sided breast cancer treated with volumetric modulated arc therapy: A meta-analysis and systematic review