Post-breast cancer radiotherapy bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia

Post-radiotherapy bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia may occur in as many as 2.3% of women receiving radiation therapy for breast cancer. Cough and fever are common symptoms, and a quarter of these women have no symptoms. Latency period is usually within 6 months after completion of therapy but may be as long as 1 year. Pulmonary function is normal or will show slight decreases in vital capacity and diffusing capacity. Chest computed tomography studies show ground-glass opacities with air bronchograms within and outside the radiation field, and there are often peripheral triangular-shaped infiltrates. Management consists of close monitoring of women who have no symptoms or minimal symptoms, and a short-course of corticosteroid therapy for women who have symptoms and extensive bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia. The prognosis is excellent; there have been no deaths reported.