skip to main content

Radiation Recall — SCE Medical Oncology MCQ

Instant feedback + full explanation. One question, done properly.

HardLung CancerRadiation RecallSCE Medical Oncology

A 55-year-old man with metastatic NSCLC on nivolumab develops radiation recall pneumonitis 6 months after completing thoracic radiotherapy. CT shows consolidation confined to the previous radiation field. What is this phenomenon?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: C — Radiation recall — an inflammatory reaction in previously irradiated tissue triggered by subsequent systemic therapy (immunotherapy or chemotherapy)

Radiation recall is an inflammatory reaction occurring in previously irradiated tissues upon exposure to subsequent systemic therapy. It can be triggered by chemotherapy (gemcitabine, taxanes) or immunotherapy (anti-PD-1/PD-L1). Radiation recall pneumonitis presents weeks to months after RT completion when a new drug is started. Management includes the triggering drug interruption and corticosteroids. It differs from standard radiation pneumonitis (which occurs within weeks of RT completion) and from ICI pneumonitis (which affects non-irradiated lung).

Reference: ESMO 2024 Supportive Care; Shibaki et al Thoracic Cancer 2020