Purpose: The purpose of this study was to estimate the relation between acute esophagitis (AE) and clinical, dosimetric, and position factors in patients with locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) receiving intensity-modulated (chemo)radiotherapy.
Materials and methods: A retrospective cohort analysis was performed to identify factors associated with Common Toxicity Criteria for Adverse Events grade 2 or worse AE (AE2+). A multivariable model was established including patient- and treatment-related variables and esophageal dose–volume histogram parameters. The esophagus was divided according to physiological anatomy, and logistic regression was used to analyze the position parameter for its correlation with AE2+.
Results: The incidence of AE2+ was 27.5%. All models included gender, concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT), position parameter, and one of the dosimetric variables. The model with mean dose showed the best goodness of fit. Gender (OR=2.47, P =0.014), CCRT (OR=3.67, P =0.015), mean dose (OR=1.33, P <0.001), and maximum radiation position (OR=1.65, P =0.016) were significantly related to AE2+.
Conclusion: Gender, concurrent chemotherapy, maximum radiation position, and mean dose were independent risk factors for AE2+. The upper part of the esophagus showed a higher sensitivity to radiation toxicity.
Keywords: acute esophagitis, non-small-cell lung cancer, intensity-modulated radiation therapy, position parameter