Trial Information

Pulmonary Function at Presentation and Follow-up in Hemato-Oncology 3-7 Years

Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) are a part of the routine follow-up of patients receiving
anti-cancer treatment. Treatment is frequently associated with diverse pulmonary damage
which may become functionally and clinically evident many years later. PFTs may help to
quantify the damage in the lungs; help to evaluate the point at which lung function deviates
from normal to allow early intervention before irreversible lung damage occurs and thereby
to reduce morbidity and mortality.

Reliable PFTs in the preschool age have traditionally been difficult to perform, but recent
publications have demonstrated that the majority of preschool children can produce
reproducible forced expiratory flow volume (FEVC) curves with proper coaching techniques.
This recent development may enable studying the long term effect (years) of treatment on
lung function in young children suffering from hemato-oncologic diseases.