Factors predicting acute radiation esophagitis in the treatment of three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy for lung cancer

Objective To report the incidence of acute radiation esophagitis and analyze the factors as predictors of acute radiation esophagitis in the treatment of three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT)for lung cancer.Methods Between March 1999 and September 2003,112 lung cancer patients treated with 3DCRT were reviewed.This population consisted of 87 men and 25 women,including 97 cases with non-small cell lung cancer and 15 with small cell lung cancer.The median age was 64 years.Radiotherapy was delivered at 2Gy fraction,5 fractions per week.The total dose was 60Gy.Results Acute radiation esophagitis was observed in 8.9% patients with grade 2.Univariate analysis revealed that many parameters (Pre-treatment weight loss more than 5%,chemotherapy,concurrent chemotherapy)were significantly associated with acute radiation esophagitis.Multivariate analysis revealed that pre-treatment weight loss more than 5% was the most important risk factor for acute radiation esophagitis (P=0.016).Conclusions Pre-treatment weight loss more than 5% is the most important risk factor for acute radiation esophagitis in this study.