Pulmonary Fibrosis

What is it?

Pulmonary means having to do with the lungs. Pulmonary fibrosis is scarring of the lungs. The scar tissue builds up in the lungs after the lung tissue has been harmed. Pulmonary fibrosis makes it hard for oxygen to pass from your lungs into your blood.

What causes pulmonary fibrosis?

• Radiation therapy that has affected the lungs. Radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis often happens within 1-3 years after treatment.
• Certain chemotherapies. Fibrosis caused by chemotherapy often starts weeks to months after treatment.

All patients getting radiation therapy to their lung tissue will get some degree of pulmonary fibrosis. The extent depends on the type of treatment, the amount of tissue affected by the treatment, and the dose.

Pulmonary fibrosis can also be idiopathic (unknown cause), caused by an autoimmune disease, being around an irritant, a medication, or genetics.

What are the signs?

The most common signs are cough and shortness of breath. Symptoms worsen as the amount of scar tissue increases. Other symptoms are:

• Fatigue.
• Weakness.
• Chest discomfort.
• Loss of appetite.
• Unexplained weight loss.

Your provider may order tests to see if you have pulmonary fibrosis and what is causing it. These tests can be:

• CT scan.
• Blood tests.
• Pulmonary function tests.
• Pulse oximetry.
• Bronchoscopy.
• Echocardiogram.
• Lung biopsy.

Management

Pulmonary fibrosis is managed by treating the symptoms:

• Rest as much as possible. Your provider may put you on bed rest if needed.
• Oxygen therapy, bronchodilators, and steroids may be given to help with breathing and oxygen levels.

When should you contact your care team?

You should contact your provider right away if you have symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis. Contact your care provider if you have any of the following:

• Trouble breathing.
• Shortness of breath.
• Blue-tinged lips, nails, or skin.