LSC 2011 Abstract: Bronchoalveolar lavage in radiation pneumonitis after radiotherapy for breast cancer
Radiation pneumonitis is a complication of radiotherapy which limits its application in cancer therapy. Aim: To compare the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) findings in patients with symptomatic radiation pneumonitis (RP) versus asymptomatic RP. Material and method: We evaluated 65 female patients with RP after radiotherapy for breast cancer. Results: Forty-nine patients were symptomatic (fever, cough and/or dyspnea) and 16 were asymptomatic. All patients had a newly discovered infiltrate or consolidation on chest radiography, corresponding to the radiation field. BAL in symptomatic patients had an increased number of cells. Lymphocytosis was present in all patients with RP, but it was higher in symptomatic (34.9±18.81% vs. 26.14±14.3%). Macrophages were decreased in all patients. Neutrophils were slightly increased (8.88% in symptomatic and 3.34% in asymptomatic) and eosinophils were normal in both groups (2.56% and 1.22, respectively). Almost all lymphocytes were T type (CD3+). CD4+ lymphocytes were increased in both groups with normal CD4/CD8 ratio (2.72 in symptomatic and 1.5 in asymptomatic group). Conclusion: Lymphocytic alveolitis with T lymphocytes was present in all patients with RP with a higher proportion in symptomatic patients.