Successful hemostatic radiotherapy for massive airway bleeding from infectious pulmonary cavity: a case report.

We present a patient with life-threatening airway bleeding from an infectious pulmonary cavity with limited treatment options. Bronchial artery embolization was unsuccessful. Surgery was not feasible due to compromised lung function. Lung transplant was considered but not endorsed. Palliative hemostatic radiotherapy with 20 Gy in 5 fractions was delivered to the site of bleeding as a last resort. Hemoptysis gradually disappeared within a month and did not recur during the 4­month follow-up. There were no side effects. We highlight the potential of radiotherapy for massive hemoptysis of infectious etiology, especially in cases with exhausted standard treatment options.

Stereotactic body radiotherapy for recurrent hemoptysis due to chronic pulmonary aspergillosis: a case report and systematic review of the literature.

PURPOSE: Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) can manifest as fungus balls in preexisting cavities of lung parenchyma and recurrent hemoptysis is among the most frequent complications. Radiotherapy can be considered for treatment-refractory aspergilloma and severe hemoptysis. To the best of our knowledge, we present the first application of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for a pulmonary aspergilloma in a patient with limited functional lung capacity. The topic was further expanded on with a systematic review of the literature addressing the implementation of radiotherapy in CPA patients. CASE REPORT: A 52-year-old man presented with recurring and treatment-refractory hemoptysis caused by chronic cavitary aspergillosis localized in the left lower lobe. We applied SBRT on two consecutive days with a total dose of 16 Gy. Hemoptysis frequency decreased to a clinically insignificant level. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW: We performed a systematic search of the literature in line with the PRISMA statement. The initial PubMed search resulted in 230 articles, of which 9 were included. RESULTS: The available literature contained 35 patients with CPA who received radiotherapy. Dose fractionation usually ranged from 2 to 4 Gy per fraction, applied almost exclusively in conventional two-dimensional (2D) techniques. There is no report of SBRT usage in such a scenario. Most cases report a positive treatment response after irradiation. CONCLUSION: The presented case demonstrates long-term clinical stability after SBRT for recurrent hemoptysis due to pulmonary aspergilloma. The systematic literature search revealed that concept definition is still uncertain, and further work is necessary to establish radiotherapy in clinical practice.

Radiotherapy in the control of bleeding from primary and secondary lung tumours.

This literature review clarifies the role of radiotherapy in the management of low-volume haemoptysis. Embase and Medline were interrogated, and PRISMA guidelines were then used to select relevant articles. Seventy-eight articles were considered relevant and manually reviewed. The evidence suggests that external beam radiotherapy is more effective than endobronchial brachytherapy at controlling low-volume haemoptysis. There is no evidence to recommend a combination of the two techniques. Different doses and fractionations appear equally effective, with a potential survival advantage of higher dose regimens for fitter patients. Palliative radiotherapy is effective at controlling low-volume haemoptysis. External beam radiotherapy is the first-line treatment, with endobronchial brachytherapy recommended following external beam radiotherapy failure. Choice of dose and fractionation should take into account the patient's performance status.

[Treatment of dyspnea and other respiratory symptoms in palliative care]. / Hengenahdistuksen ja muiden hengitystieoireiden palliatiivinen hoito.

Respiratory symptoms cause much of suffering in palliative care. Opioids are the first-line drugs in symptomatic treatment, and a therapeutic intervention with benzodiazepines may also be justified. If the patient does not have hypoxia, oxygen and air stream have similar effects on dyspnea. Cough reflex is attenuated with opioids, and symptoms due to respiratory secretions are alleviated with anticholinergic drugs and mucolytics. Physical therapy and methods of respiratory management are profitable in the treatment of respiratory symptoms. Radiation therapy relieves cancer-induced hemoptysis, cough, chest pain and dyspnea.

Braquiterapia endobronquial de alta tasa de dosis en pacientes con obstrucción de la vía aérea central: experiencia en el Instituto Nacional del Cáncer y revisión de la literatura / High dose rate endobronchial brachytherapy in patients with central airway obstruction

Introduction: The main indication of modern high dose rate end bronchial brachyherapy (HDR EBBT) is the palliation of symptoms related to the growth of the endobronchial lung cancer. Methods: EBBT was performed to 27 patients who suffered symptomatic tumoral endobronchial or tracheal pathology, due to primary bronchial disease or secondary metastasis cancer, evaluating the rate of clinical benefit. The tumors were located at tracheal, carinal or proximal bronchial level. Fibrobronchoscopy was performed to all the patients to measure the degree of airway obstruction and to install brachytherapy endobronchial catheters. Between 1 to 4 fractions of 7 to 7.5 Gy were administered. Dyspnea, cough and hemoptysis were subjectively registered before and after treatment, according to an international validated scale. Results: After treatment, all symptoms considerably decreased, disappearing all of the severe categories. Hemoptysis and dyspnea resolved in a 100 percent and 40 percent of patients, respectively; and cough disappeared or was reduced to a minimum grade in 90 percent of cases.

Introducción: La indicación principal de la braquiterapia endobronquial moderna (BTEB) de alta tasa de dosis (HDR), es la paliación de síntomas por crecimiento endobronquial de cánceres pulmonares. Métodos: Se realizó BTEB HDR a 27 pacientes sintomáticos de patología tumoral endobronquial o traqueal, debido a patologías primarias bronquiales o secundarias metastásicas. Los tumores se ubicaban en tráquea, carina o a nivel bronquialproximal. Para observar mejorías en la sintomatología clínica, a todos se les realizó una fibrobroncoscopía (FBC) para medir el grado de obstrucción bronquial e instalar catéteres endobronquiales de braquiterapia. Se administraron entre 1 y 4 fracciones de 7 a 7,5 Gy. Se registró subjetivamente la disnea, tos y hemoptisis antes y después del tratamiento, de acuerdo a una escala internacionalmente validada. Resultados: Tras el tratamiento todos los síntomas disminuyeron considerablemente, desapareciendo toda sintomatología severa. La hemoptisis y disnea desaparecieron en el 100 por ciento y 40 por ciento de los pacientes respectivamente, y la tos desapareció o disminuyó a grado leve en el 90 por ciento de los pacientes.

External-beam radiotherapy for massive hemoptysis complicating mediastinal fibrosis.

Fibrosing mediastinitis with bronchial artery hypervascularity is a rare cause of massive hemoptysis. Conventional therapies for massive hemoptysis include pulmonary or bronchial artery embolization, endobronchial tamponade, or lung resection. A patient with fibrosing mediastinitis presented with refractory massive hemoptysis associated with bronchial hypervascularity and was treated with external-beam radiotherapy (XRT). The application of XRT for massive hemoptysis in malignant and nonmalignant disease of the thorax is discussed.

Radiotherapy for a pulmonary aspergilloma complicating p-ANCA positive small vessel vasculitis.

Life-threatening haemoptysis may complicate aspergillomas within pre-existing lung cavities. Treatment options have included lung resection, pulmonary or bronchial artery embolisation and antifungal therapy administered either systemically or by endobronchial or percutaneous instillation. We present a case of aspergilloma complicating small vessel vasculitis, and its successful treatment using radiotherapy.

Endobronchial brachytherapy for symptom palliation in non-small cell lung cancer--analysis of symptom response, endoscopic improvement and quality of life.

AIMS: Endobronchial brachytherapy (EBBT) is a useful modality for the palliation of endobronchial symptoms in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We report our experience with a special emphasis on duration of symptom palliation and the impact on quality of life (QOL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The records of 95 previously untreated patients with locally advanced NSCLC were treated with palliative radiation using EBBT with or without palliative external radiation (XRT) were analysed. Eighty patients received EBBT and palliative XRT. EBBT was delivered in two sessions of EBBT 8Gy each or a single session of 10Gy. Fifteen patients received EBBT alone to 15Gy in a single session. Symptomatic response rates, duration of symptom palliation, obstruction scores and complications were assessed and compared. Quality of life outcomes, measured using the EORTC QLQ C30 and LC13 questionnaires, were analysed. RESULTS: The overall symptomatic response rates were 93% for dyspnea, 81% for cough, 97% for haemoptysis and 91% for obstructive pneumonia. The median time to symptom relapse was 4-8 months for all symptoms, and the median time to symptom progression was 6-11 months. Quality of life showed significant improvement in symptom scores, functional scales and overall QOL. Complication rates were low. Only one patient died of fatal haemoptysis. CONCLUSION: EBBT is thus a safe and effective palliative tool in advanced non-small cell lung cancer, with a relatively long duration of symptom palliation and a considerable improvement in the quality of life. There is significant reduction of endobronchial obstruction.

Hypofractionated external beam radiotherapy as retreatment for symptomatic non-small-cell lung carcinoma: an effective treatment?

PURPOSE: To evaluate prospectively the efficacy, toxicity, and duration of the palliative effect of retreatment with external beam radiotherapy in symptomatic patients with recurrent non-small-cell lung cancer. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Twenty-eight symptomatic patients with local recurrence of non-small-cell lung cancer underwent repeated treatment after previous radiotherapy (equivalent dose, 46-60 Gy). Reirradiation consisted of two fractions of 8 Gy on Days 1 and 8 with two opposed beams using 6-18-MV photon beams at the site of pulmonary recurrence. The physician scored symptom resolution. RESULTS: Relief of hemoptysis and superior vena cava syndrome could be obtained in all assessable cases (100%). Treatment was less effective for coughing (67%) and dyspnea (35%). The overall median duration of this palliative effect was 4 months. Palliation in almost all patients lasted more than one-half of their remaining life span. The Karnofsky performance score improved in 45% of assessable cases. One patient had Grade 2 esophagitis. Complications consisted of tumor-related fatal hemoptysis in 5 patients (17%) and 1 death from bronchoesophageal fistula (4%). CONCLUSION: External beam hypofractionated reirradiation can be effective as a palliative treatment for local complaints in non-small-cell lung cancer. The complication rate of reirradiation was acceptably low.

External beam radiotherapy: a treatment option for massive haemoptysis caused by mycetoma.

Five patients with life threatening haemoptysis secondary to a mycetoma were treated with external beam radiotherapy (EBRT). External beam radiotherapy of 3.5 Gy was given once a week continuing for one fraction after the haemoptysis stopped. Three patients required 7 Gy, one required 10.5 Gy and the fifth patient required 14 Gy before the haemoptysis had completely stopped. Irradiation was successful in achieving haemostasis with no side effects being observed after treatment in all five patients. Radiation therapy is an effective modality of treatment for life-threatening haemoptysis due to a mycetoma with no significant acute or late side effects.

Quality of life after palliative radiotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer: a prospective study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in respiratory symptoms and quality of life (QoL) in patients with locally advanced and metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) receiving thoracic radiotherapy. Additionally, the correlation between the level of symptom relief and objective tumor response was investigated. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Sixty-five patients were entered in this prospective study. The EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-LC13 were used to investigate changes in QoL. Assessments were performed before radiotherapy and 2 weeks, 6 weeks, and 3 months after radiotherapy. RESULTS: The QoL response rates were excellent for hemoptysis (79%); good for arm/shoulder pain (56%), chest wall pain (53%), and cough (49%); moderate for dyspnea (39%); and minimal for the general symptoms fatigue (22%) and appetite loss (11%). The QoL response rates for the five functioning scales of the QLQ-C30 varied from 35% for role functioning to 57% for emotional functioning. Global QoL improved in 37% of the cases. In general, there was a tendency for better palliation of symptoms and improvement of QoL among patients with an objective tumor response than among those without objective tumor response, which was statistically significant for dyspnea (p = 0.02) and social functioning (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms that conventional thoracic radiotherapy offers palliation of respiratory symptoms and improved QoL in a substantial proportion of patients with locally advanced and metastatic NSCLC. Tumor reduction is only one of the mechanisms by which palliation of symptoms and improvement of QoL is achieved.

Local determinants of response to endobronchial high-dose rate brachytherapy in bronchogenic carcinoma.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: We evaluated bronchoscopic tumor appearance and tumor location as determinants of response to high-dose rate brachytherapy (HDR-BT) in patients with symptomatic unresectable bronchogenic carcinoma previously treated with external-beam irradiation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty patients with symptomatic endobronchial bronchogenic carcinoma who had previously completed external irradiation were divided into two groups based on whether the initial bronchoscopic appearance showed an endoluminal mass or submucosal infiltration/extrinsic compression. Furthermore, patients were also classified based on tumor location: central (trachea or mainstem bronchi) and peripheral (lobar or segmental bronchi). Patients underwent three treatments of 800 cGy intraluminal irradiation at 2-week intervals, with follow-up evaluation 4 weeks later. We evaluated response in tumor extent based on bronchoscopic and chest radiograph appearance, as well as symptoms with standardized scales. RESULTS: Fifteen of 24 patients who underwent follow-up bronchoscopy had reductions in the degree of endobronchial obstruction. Seven of 24 patients had radiographic improvement in the extent of atelectasis. Patients with both tumor appearances (endoluminal and submucosal/extrinsic compression) had significant improvements following HDR-BT with regard to hemoptysis. Patients with submucosal disease also had improvement in cough. Patients with peripheral tumors had better rates of response for hemoptysis and cough than did those with central tumors. CONCLUSION: HDR-BT may result in symptomatic improvement in patients with bronchogenic carcinoma, whether characterized endoscopically as endoluminal projection or submucosal infiltration/extrinsic compression. Peripheral tumors have better rates of response than central tumors, possibly on the basis of less extensive disease.

High dose rate intraluminal radiotherapy for carcinoma of the bronchus: outcome of treatment of 406 patients.

In April 1988 the Christie Hospital started using the microSelectron-HDR machine to deliver intraluminal radiotherapy (ILT) to inoperable bronchial carcinomas causing symptoms due to endobronchial disease. Results of treatment in the first 406 patients with primary non-small-cell carcinoma are presented. Three main categories of patient were defined. Category 1 consisted of 324 patients (79.8%) who were previously unirradiated and received a single fraction of ILT as their primary treatment, mostly to a dose of 1500 cGy (76%) or 2000 cGy (23%) at 1 cm from the centre of the iridium-192 treatment source. The percentage of these patients whose symptoms or signs were improved at 6 weeks following ILT were as follows: stridor 92%, haemoptysis 88%, cough 62%, dyspnoea, 60%, pain, 50% and pulmonary collapse, 46%. Approximately two-thirds of these patients (67.3%) derived long lasting palliation and required no further treatment during their lifetime. The other third of patients needed subsequent treatment at some stage because of recurrence of their symptoms and in this situation external beam radiotherapy (EB) or a repeat ILT treatment was effectively utilised. Category 2 consisted of 65 patients (16%) who had previously received EB but required ILT when their tumour recurred. At 6 weeks post-ILT levels of symptom palliation were broadly similar to those obtained if ILT was used in previously unirradiated individuals, although the improvement was not so well sustained with time and only 7% showed improvement in pulmonary collapse at 6 weeks. Category 3 consisted of 17 patients (4.2%) in whom ILT was used concurrently with EB as a combined initial treatment. Similar levels of palliation were seen when compared with patients who received a single ILT treatment only. Overall, ILT was well tolerated in terms of early and late morbidity. In conclusion, the efficiency of a single ILT treatment in palliating symptoms due to endobronchial tumour in previously unirradiated individuals is comparable with that reported in series where treatment for advanced lung cancer combines a prolonged course of EB concurrently with several ILT treatments.

Intraluminal irradiation for the palliation of lung cancer with the high dose rate micro-Selectron.

Fifty patients with inoperable, symptomatic endobronchial carcinoma were treated by a single exposure of intraluminal radiotherapy. A high dose rate afterloading system (the micro-Selectron-HDR) was used to minimise radiation exposure for staff. Haemoptysis was relieved in 24 of 28 patients, breathlessness in 21 of 33 patients, and cough in nine of 18 patients. Radiological collapse resolved in 11 of 24 patients. Treatment was given on an outpatient basis and was well tolerated. Intraluminal radiotherapy appears to offer an effective alternative to conventional fractionated external beam radiotherapy.