Total Atelectasis of the Lung Secondary to Malignant Airway Obstruction

Abstract

From 1980 to 1986, 46 patients with bronchogenic carcinoma were diagnosed to have total atelectasis of the lung as a result of tumor obstructing the mainstem bronchus. These patients were treated with external beam radiotherapy with doses ranging from 30 to 60 Gy given in 2-6 weeks. Bronchial obstruction was relieved in 74% of patients, resulting in complete or partial reexpansion of the lung. Seventy-one percent of patients irradiated within 2 weeks after radiological evidence of atelectasis had complete reexpansion of their lungs, whereas only 23% of those irradiated after 2 weeks showed a similar response. Atelectasis recurred in 12% of those who initially responded to radiation therapy with complete or partial reexpansion.