Low-dose, single-fraction, whole-lung radiotherapy for pulmonary hypertension associated with myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia

Br J Haematol. 2002 Sep;118(3):813-6. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2141.2002.03695.x.

Abstract

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) can complicate myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia (MMM), may arise in the absence of evidence for thromboembolic disease and carries a grim prognosis. Four patients with MMM and severe symptomatic PH were treated with whole-lung external beam radiotherapy in a single fraction of 100 cGy. Within 72 h, each patient noted marked symptomatic improvement and had relief of hypoxia and reduction of oedema and/or ascites. Three of the four patients enjoyed an objective improvement in pulmonary artery systolic pressure as measured by transthoracic Doppler echocardiography. Low-dose lung radiotherapy may be a useful palliative tool for patients with MMM complicated by PH.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypertension, Pulmonary / diagnostic imaging
  • Hypertension, Pulmonary / etiology*
  • Hypertension, Pulmonary / radiotherapy*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Palliative Care / methods
  • Primary Myelofibrosis / complications*
  • Primary Myelofibrosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Radionuclide Imaging
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid

Substances

  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid