Imaging after Radiotherapy for Lung Cancer

Dr. Chad Strange from Houston, Texas, discusses the imaging challenges after radiotherapy for lung cancer. Focusing on CT scans, he emphasizes the importance of understanding the type of radiation therapy received, such as conventional or newer modalities like stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) and proton therapy. Different radiation therapies have varying impacts on normal lung tissue, with newer modalities generally causing less damage. Dr. Strange details the evolution of radiation changes over time, highlighting the variability in appearance and timing, especially with newer modalities. He describes characteristic patterns seen in imaging, such as radiation pneumonitis, and advises on factors indicating potential tumor recurrence. Additionally, he introduces complications like radiation pneumonitis and thrombus formation in vessels within the radiation treatment field. The talk underscores the need for radiologists to consider these factors when interpreting CT scans of lung cancer patients who have undergone radiotherapy.