Lung function changes after chemoradiation therapy in patients with lung cancer treated by three usual platinum combinations.

Background: Reports point out lung toxicity of chemotherapeutic agents and radiation therapy in cancer patients. The aim of our study was to assess lung function after sequential chemoradiation therapy in patients with lung cancer.

Methods: Fifteen lung cancer patients participated the study and underwent lung function assessment before and after sequential treatment of chemotherapy with the 3 most applied platinum-based combinations: of vinorelbine (VN) 6 patients, gemcitabine (GEM) 4 patients and etoposide (EP) 5 patients and radiation therapy. Lung function tests were forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), total lung capacity (TLC), diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DL) and carbon monoxide transfer coefficient (Kco).

Results: Mean patients' age was 58±9.4 years (42-75 years). Male patients were 14 (93.3%), all smokers. Overall, after chemoradiation treatment significant changes were noted in FEV1 (P=0.012), FVC (P=0.046), TLC (P=0.04) from baseline. The drop from baseline was more significant after chemoradiation therapy in DLCO (P=0.002) and KCO (P=0.008).

Conclusions: According to our results, sequential chemoradiation causes significant changes in lung function parameters in patients with lung cancer.