A Challenging Case of Radiation-Induced Lung Fibrosis

A 62-year-old female was diagnosed with stage IIIA non-small-cell lung carcinoma, treated with radiation and chemotherapy with weekly Taxol and Carboplatin (Figures 1A and B). Radiotherapy included a multi-field intensity-modulated radiation therapy treatment plan involving right lower lobe and draining lymph nodes with a total dose of 6660 cGy (37 fractions, 55 days). A month later, she presented to the emergency department for the complaints of shortness of breath of one week duration. There was no history of any recent travel, sick contact, or worsening leg swelling.