Effect of Chronic Bronchitis on Changes in Pulmonary Function Caused by Irradiation of the Lungs

In a previous paper (Gillam, Heaf, Hoffbrand, and Hilton, 1964) it was shown that, contrary to wide- spread opinion, the presence of co-existing chronic bronchitis does not interfere with the treatment of bronchial carcinoma by radiotherapy. Patients with severe chronic bronchitis can be given the same dose of irradiation as those with mild bronchitis or with previously normal lungs. Survival after radiotherapy for bronchial carci- noma is not shortened by co-existing chronic bronchitis. The incidence of exacerbations of bronchitis both during and after radiotherapy is no more than might be expected in such a group of patients without irradiated lungs.