Gemcitabine-induced pulmonary toxicity: case report and review of the literature.
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.
Gupta
Niraj
N
Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Long Island Jewish Medical Center, 270-05 76 Avenue, New Hyde Park, NY 11042, U.S.A.
Ahmed
Imran
I
Steinberg
Harry
H
Patel
Dilip
D
Nissel-Horowitz
Sandy
S
Mehrotra
Bhoomi
B
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
D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D000093542:Gemcitabine