Analyzing Predictors Of Acute Radiation-induced Esophagitis In Patients Treated With 3-Dimensional Conformal Radiotherapy For Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

PURPOSE: To analyze the clinical and dosimetric risk factors of acute radiation-induced esophagitis (ARIE) in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT).METHODS AND MATERIALS: We retrospectively reviewed 41 patients with NSCLC who were treated with 3DCRT between August 2007 and November 2009.ARIE was scored according to the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group criteria. The clinical and dosimetric factors associated with grade 2 or worse ARIE were analyzed using univariate analysis.RESULTS: There were no grade 4 or 5 ARIE observed in the 41 patients analyzed. 15 of 41 patients (36.6%) developed grade 2 or 3 ARIE. Univariate analysis showed that clinical factors, such as lymph nodes stage (N 0/1 vs. N 2/3) and CCT were associated with grade 2 and 3 ARIE. Dose volume parameters of esophagus including Dmax,Dmean,LETT20,LETT30,LETT40,V20,V30,V40,V45,V50,V55 were also associated with ARIE.CONCLUSION: CCT,lymph nodes stage and Dmax,Dmean,LETT20,LETT30,LETT40,V20,V30,V40,V45,V50,V55 were strong predictors of grade 2 or worse ARIE in NSCLC treated with 3DCRT.