Active — Not RecruitingNot Applicable

Application of 4DCT-Based Pulmonary Ventilation Imaging in Lung Cancer Radiotherapy

China202 participantsStarted 2024-12-09

Plain-language summary

This retrospective single-center study investigates whether four-dimensional CT (4DCT)-based lung ventilation imaging can guide functional lung avoidance radiotherapy (FLAR) for patients with primary lung cancer. Ventilation maps generated from planning 4DCT are used to identify well-ventilated lung regions, enabling paired comparison between functional lung avoidance radiotherapy plans and conventional anatomic radiotherapy plans. The study aims to assess whether incorporating functional lung information into radiotherapy planning can reduce radiation exposure to well-ventilated lung while maintaining adequate tumor coverage, and to explore its relationship with radiation-induced lung injury. All analyses are based on existing clinical imaging, treatment planning data, and follow-up records. No additional interventions, imaging, or procedures are performed as part of this study.

Who can participate

Age range18 Years – 85 Years

SexALL

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Inclusion Criteria: * Histologically confirmed primary lung cancer (adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, or small-cell carcinoma) treated with thoracic radiotherapy. * High-quality 4DCT scans performed before radiotherapy, enabling generation of ventilation or perfusion maps. * Radiotherapy plans designed using IMRT. * Availability of both functional lung avoidance plans and conventional anatomical radiotherapy plans for paired analysis. * Complete treatment and follow-up records, including radiation-induced lung injury (e.g., radiation pneumonitis) and pulmonary function tests. Exclusion Criteria: * Incomplete or poor-quality imaging data preventing accurate ventilation/perfusion map generation. * Radiotherapy interrupted or incomplete for any reason. * Severe underlying lung diseases (e.g., extensive emphysema, pulmonary fibrosis, active tuberculosis) that may confound treatment outcomes or toxicity assessment. * Presence of other untreated primary malignancies during the study period. * Prior lung surgery or local therapies (e.g., ablation) that may affect evaluation of radiation-induced lung injury. * Missing follow-up data, making assessment of radiation-induced lung injury or long-term lung function changes impossible.

What they're measuring

Incidence of Radiation-Induced Lung Injury (Grade ≥2)

Timeframe: Assessed at 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after completion of radiotherapy.

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07312682

SponsorThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeOBSERVATIONAL

Primary completion2025-09-09