Cryptogenic organizing pneumonia after radiotherapy for breast cancer.
We report a case of lasting fever and cough with pulmonary infiltrates progressing 4 months after adjuvant radiotherapy following surgery for breast cancer. Chest radiography and computed tomography demonstrated alveolar opacities outside the irradiated pulmonary area. Laboratory data revealed neutrophilia and increased levels of C-reactive protein. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid displayed increased lymphocyte counts, and transbronchial lung biopsy revealed histological patterns compatible with cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP). Corticosteroid therapy resulted in marked clinical improvement. From the histological and clinical findings, this case was judged to be a case of COP induced after radiotherapy for breast cancer, similar to those reported recently.
Akita
Kenji
K
Department of Respiratory Medicine, JR Tokai General Hospital, Taikou 1-19-40, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 453-0801, Japan. akitak@mta.biglobe.ne.jp
Ikawa
Aiko
A
Shimizu
Shigeki
S
Tsuboi
Kazuya
K
Ishihara
Kazuhiro
K
Sato
Shigeki
S
Ueda
Ryuzo
R
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008408:Mastectomy; D015412:Mastectomy, Segmental; D008875:Middle Aged; D016609:Neoplasms, Second Primary / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017564:Radiation Pneumonitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D011239:Prednisolone