Thoracic reirradiation for symptomatic relief after prior radiotherapeutic management for lung cancer

Limited information is available in the medical literature on thoracic reirradiation for patients with recurrent/persistent lung carcinoma or new primary lung tumors. Controversy exists regarding the retreatment because of concerns regarding the risk of radiation toxicity. The medical and radiotherapeutic records of more than 1,500 patients with lung cancer seen in the Department of Radiation Oncology at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital from 1982 through 1997 were searched. Twenty-three patients with history of previous thoracic radiation therapy underwent thoracic reirradiation for either biopsy-proven and/or radiographically evident tumor recurrence, metastasis, or second lung primary. Most patients were reirradiated because of progressive dyspnea, cough, thoracic pain, or hemoptysis. Each of these symptoms was evaluated separately with regard to the subjective response to reirradiation. The median follow-up time from completion of reirradiation to last correspondence with the patient and/or family was 3.2 months, with a range of 0 to 17.5 months. In six patients with hemoptysis, a decrease or resolution of this symptom was noted. Of five patients with thoracic pain attributed to carcinoma, four noted an improvement in pain after reirradiation. Of 15 patients with cough, 9 had an improvement in cough, and of 15 patients with dyspnea, 11 had an improvement. Thoracic reirradiation is an effective modality in patients with hemoptysis, thoracic pain, cough, and dyspnea attributed to a radiographically defined recurrence and/or progression of lung cancer.