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Pulmonary toxicity of antineoplastic drugs
Marketos Ch.D.
SUMMARY: Pulmonary toxicity resulting from treatment with antineoplastic
drugs is common because of the wide use of such drugs in the treatment of malignant
and other diseases. It is estimated that approximately 10% of patients receiving
cytotoxic drugs will develop pulmonary toxicity. The risk of toxicity increases
in the presence of other factors. The diagnostic approach includes the history
and clinical examination, chest radiography, high resolution computed tomography,
lung function studies, bronchoscopy with transbronchial biopsy and bronchoalveolar
lavage and finally open lung biopsy. It is important to exclude other conditions
such as progression of the primary disease, lower respiratory tract infections,
and radiation-induced lung injury. The management of antineoplastic drug related
pulmonary toxicity is based on clinical suspicion, discontinuation of the drug
and administration of corticosteroids. Mortality varies among different drugs,
and even with early treatment there may be residual lung damage. Pneumon
2004, 17(2):120-137.
Key words: Ántineoplastic drugs, pulmonary toxicity.
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