Exacerbation of radiation fibrosis with erlotinib: another pattern of radiation recall phenomenon

Jpn J Radiol. 2011 Oct;29(8):587-9. doi: 10.1007/s11604-011-0590-x. Epub 2011 Sep 17.

Abstract

A 79-year-old woman with advanced lung cancer presented with worsened radiation fibrosis after administration of erlotinib. After radiation therapy 7 months previously, she had radiation fibrosis that had been stable for months. On the 19th day after administration of erlotinib, low-grade fever and mild dyspnea developed accompanied by new pulmonary opacity in the area of the radiation fibrosis, which improved without therapy. We surmise that this is a manifestation of the radiation recall phenomenon, and discontinuation of the drug should be considered with discretion.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Erlotinib Hydrochloride
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Lung Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / adverse effects*
  • Quinazolines / adverse effects*
  • Radiation Pneumonitis / pathology*

Substances

  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Quinazolines
  • Erlotinib Hydrochloride