What factor increases the risk of developing radiation pneumonitis in patients undergoing therapy?

The increased risk of developing radiation pneumonitis in patients undergoing therapy is significantly associated with concomitant bleomycin therapy. Bleomycin is a chemotherapy agent known for its pulmonary toxicity, which can occur independently or in conjunction with lung radiation therapy. When patients receive radiation to the lungs while simultaneously being treated with bleomycin, the risk for pneumonitis increases due to the compounded effects of both the drug and the radiation on lung tissue.

Radiation pneumonitis occurs when radiation therapy causes inflammation in the lung tissue, and the presence of bleomycin may exacerbate this condition due to its known effects on lung health. Therefore, the combination of these two treatments can lead to an elevated risk for serious pulmonary complications, highlighting the importance of careful monitoring and management in patients receiving both radiation and bleomycin.