Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia after stereotactic ablative radiation therapy for lung cancer: A case report

Abstract

Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia is an interstitial lung disease rarely occurring after radiotherapy probably due to an activation of autoimmune processes. Most cases have been described after postoperative radiotherapy for breast cancer. Corticosteroids represent the main treatment, prognosis is generally favorable. We described a case of bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia after stereotactic ablative radiation therapy for a recurrent lung cancer. Antibiotics and steroids were administered to solve the clinical picture. After three years, a new lesion at the right lung was found and treated with stereotactic ablative radiation therapy and concomitant long course of steroids with no recurrence of bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia. Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia is a rare event after radiotherapy with undefined risk factors. In our case, steroids played an important role in management and, maybe, in preventing bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia recurrence after second course of stereotactic ablative radiation therapy.