External-beam radiation therapy in the treatment of diffuse tracheobronchial amyloidosis

Mayo Clin Proc. 2001 Aug;76(8):853-6. doi: 10.1016/S0025-6196(11)63233-3.

Abstract

Tracheobronchial amyloidosis is characterized by deposits of amyloid in airway walls. No effective treatment is known. We describe a 59-year-old woman who presented with increasing symptoms of airway obstruction due to diffuse deposition of amyloid throughout her tracheobronchial tree. She was treated with external-beam radiation therapy (20 Gy) with marked improvement in her symptoms, effort tolerance, bronchoscopic appearance, and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (1.39 L to 1.97 L [42%]). This improvement was maintained during 21 months of follow-up.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Amyloidosis / pathology
  • Amyloidosis / physiopathology
  • Amyloidosis / radiotherapy*
  • Bronchial Diseases / pathology
  • Bronchial Diseases / physiopathology
  • Bronchial Diseases / radiotherapy*
  • Bronchoscopy
  • Dose Fractionation, Radiation
  • Exercise Tolerance
  • Female
  • Forced Expiratory Volume
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Tracheal Diseases / pathology
  • Tracheal Diseases / physiopathology
  • Tracheal Diseases / radiotherapy*
  • Treatment Outcome