Respiratory
Prevention
Therapy considerations:
Chemotherapy
- Avoid pulmonary toxic chemotherapy if possible
- Monitor PFTs and adjust dose if necessary
Radiation
- Minimize radiation field and use lowest effective dose
After therapy:
A yearly medical check up is advised after therapy that might potentially damage the lungs.
A chest X-ray and pulmonary function tests every 2 years (the frequency of these tests is not set in stone)
Vaccines
- A yearly influenza vaccine and the pneumococcal vaccine would be recommended
Smoking
- Avoid starting or strongly encourage stopping
Scuba Diving
- May exacerbate pulmonary fibrosis and there might be a risk of pneumothorax – recommend avoidance40
See pulmonary health at the Children's Oncology Group Survivorship Guidelines
