Two cases of fatal bleomycin pneumonitis complicating the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
We present two cases of fatal bleomycin pneumonitis complicating the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Pneumonitis is a well recognized side effect of this drug, but occurs at low doses in the treatment of NHL. Early intervention with high dose corticosteroids may be curative, indicating that clinicians should have a low threshold for investigation and treatment.
Department of Haematology, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK.
A J
AJ
Bloor
J R
JR
Seale
R E
RE
Marcus
D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001761:Bleomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016393:Lymphoma, B-Cell / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D016403:Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008875:Middle Aged; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011658:Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000139:chemically induced*; D019043:Vascular Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage
D001761:Bleomycin; D014750:Vincristine; D005047:Etoposide; D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D011239:Prednisolone; D008727:Methotrexate