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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Can Radiation Therapy Cause Scaring Of Lungs?

hx of muscular dystrophy 85 year old male diagnosed in 1952, hx of prostate cancer, high beam radiation sesium implants, colostomy and fistula between prostate and bladder, 22 French foley 30cc bulb placed monthly by urologist. increased shortness of breath, bilateral basilar opacities in all lung fields along with cardiomegaly. pacemaker and resp 24 to 30 o2 sats on 3lpm via nc 90 to 92% costovertbal angles not well visualized. pulse rate 110 to 120....... no hx of smoking or exposure to chemical etc. Could passed radiation therapy have caused scaring of lung fields
Tue, 21 Apr 2015
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Pulmonologist 's  Response
Thanks for your question on HCM.
I can understand your situation and problem.
Yes, radiation is known risk factor for lung fibrosis (scarring).
And risk is more in old age.
So possibility of radiation as a cause for your fibrosis is high.
Better to get done HRCT thorax for the confirm diagnosis of scarring.
There are different patterns of fibrosis (scarring) which suggest specific cause.
So get done HRCT thorax for better evaluation of fibrosis (scarring).
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Can Radiation Therapy Cause Scaring Of Lungs?

Thanks for your question on HCM. I can understand your situation and problem. Yes, radiation is known risk factor for lung fibrosis (scarring). And risk is more in old age. So possibility of radiation as a cause for your fibrosis is high. Better to get done HRCT thorax for the confirm diagnosis of scarring. There are different patterns of fibrosis (scarring) which suggest specific cause. So get done HRCT thorax for better evaluation of fibrosis (scarring).