title: Gemcitabine-induced pulmonary toxicity: case report and review of the literature.
abstract: Gemcitabine is a pyrimidine analog with a similar chemical structure and mechanism of action, as cytarabine. It has been shown to be a highly active agent for non-small cell lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, urothelial cancer, breast cancer and ovarian cancer. Gemcitabine is relatively well tolerated and myelosuppression is the dose-limiting toxicity. Pulmonary toxicity with gemcitabine is relatively uncommon, but a well recognized entity, associated with significant morbidity and mortality. A high index of suspicion, early diagnosis and timely intervention with oxygen supplementation, steroids, and diuretics is necessary to manage patients with this complication.
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Long Island Jewish Medical Center, 270-05 76 Avenue, New Hyde Park, NY 11042, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Niraj
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: Imran
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.forename: Harry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Steinberg
authors.forename: Dilip
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: Sandy
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nissel-Horowitz
authors.forename: Bhoomi
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mehrotra
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D017563:Lung Diseases, Interstitial / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000093542:Gemcitabine
chemical_list: D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D000093542:Gemcitabine