Results
Of 86 children who met inclusion criteria, 99% received pulmonary toxic
chemotherapy, and 79% received thoracic radiotherapy. Patients showed
an overall decrease in all three lung function parameters immediately
post-treatment. Between one- and four-years post-treatment, there was a
larger sustained decline in percent predicted lung function parameters
for females (mean Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second, FEV1=81.0%
±15.7) than males (FEV1=93.2% ±10.2). Sensitivity analysis of 65
children who received radiation and bleomycin revealed pulmonary
function trends similar to the overall population.
Conclusions
Our results reveal that male and female patients experience different
lung function trajectories following pulmonary toxic cancer treatment,
with females performing more poorly over time despite similar baseline
function. Further research is needed to better understand the factors
associated with poor lung function and impaired recovery post-treatment,
particularly in females. [248 words]