Characterizing Pulmonary Function Test Changes for Patients With Lung Cancer Treated on a 2-Institution, 4-Dimensional Computed Tomography-Ventilation Functional Avoidance Prospective Clinical Trial

Four-dimensional computed tomography (4DCT)-ventilation-based functional avoidance uses 4DCT images to generate plans that avoid functional regions of the lung with the goal of reducing pulmonary toxic effects. A phase 2, multicenter, prospective study was completed to evaluate 4DCT-ventilation functional avoidance radiation therapy. The purpose of this study was to report the results for pretreatment to posttreatment pulmonary function test (PFT) changes for patients treated with functional avoidance radiation therapy.Patients with locally advanced lung cancer receiving chemoradiation were accrued. Functional avoidance plans based on 4DCT-ventilation images were generated. PFTs were obtained at baseline and 3 months after chemoradiation. Differences for PFT metrics are reported, including diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEVFifty-six patients enrolled on the study had baseline and posttreatment PFTs evaluable for analysis. The mean change in DLCO, FEVThe current work is the first to quantitatively characterize PFT changes for patients with lung cancer treated on a prospective functional avoidance radiation therapy study. In comparison with patients treated with standard thoracic radiation planning, the data qualitatively show that functional avoidance resulted in less of a decline in DLCO and FEV