New: NCI-funded clinical trial search
Mednet Logo

What precautions or modifications, if any, would you employ when considering lung SBRT for early NSCLC in a patient recovering from acute lung injury?

For example, in a patient recovering from COVID pneumonia who is no longer a surgical candidate due to decline in pulmonary status, and still has clinical and radiologic sequelae of their acute lung injury.
1 Answer
Mednet MemberInvited Expert
Radiation Oncology · University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Answered on

For a patient recovering from COVID-19 pneumonia, I would hold SBRT until the patient has recovered fully from acute infection, i.e., no more fever, cough, and/or SOB. The patient's breathing should recover to close to pre-COVID-19 pneumonia status and chest CT image showed resolution of COVID-19 acute inflammation.

It is possible that some patients might still have "scar" from COVID-19 pneumonia after the clinical recovery, it is the clinician's judgment call to decide the time of SBRT. In addition, it is always helpful to be cautious about SBRT planning and DVH analysis. Conservative estimation of lung tolerance is advisable.

Join for free or sign in to see the full answer