Fatal pneumonitis in children with metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma following whole lung radiotherapy and sequential epirubicin.
Interstitial pneumonitis is a recognized complication following whole lung radiotherapy. We report two cases in which fatal pneumonitis appeared to be precipitated by the administration of epirubicin-containing combination chemotherapy within 7 weeks of completion of whole lung radiotherapy. These cases highlight a potentially fatal interaction between radiotherapy and modern chemotherapy regimens.
Prestwich
R J
RJ
Department of Clinical Oncology, Cookridge Hospital, Yorkshire Cancer Centre, West Yorkshire, UK. rprestwich@doctors.org.uk
Picton
S V
SV
Glaser
A
A
Taylor
R E
RE
D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D015251:Epirubicin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D017563:Lung Diseases, Interstitial / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D012208:Rhabdomyosarcoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000628:therapy*
D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; D015251:Epirubicin