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Published 14 April 2009
Cite this as: BMJ Case Reports 2009 [doi:10.1136/bcr.11.2008.1175]
Copyright © 2009 by the BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.

Unexpected outcome (positive or negative) including adverse drug reactions

Bleomycin lung: a case report

Rabia Sofia Rashid

Medway Maritime Hospital, Windmill Road, Gillingham, Kent ME7 5NY, UK

Correspondence to:
Rabia Sofia Rashid, rabia858{at}hotmail.com

SUMMARY

A 69-year-old gentleman with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (stage I), with baseline fibrotic lung changes on CT, received six cycles of R-PMitCebo chemotherapy containing bleomycin. Three months later he presented to the Accident and Emergency Department with progressive dyspnoea, dry cough, pyrexia and generalised lethargy. Chest radiographs showed bilateral lower zone opacities. Clinically, all signs initially pointed to community-acquired penumonia, but he failed to respond to standard treatment for this. Repeat high-resolution CT (HRCT) subsequently showed widespread peripheral interstitial changes consistent with marked fibrotic lung changes. It became apparent that this was in fact bleomycin-induced pulmonary toxicity. The patient rapidly deteriorated and developed type I respiratory failure. Despite intensive steroid treatment, the patient progressively got worse and died in the Intensive Therapy Unit 10 days after admission. Death was directly attributed to pulmonary fibrosis secondary to bleomycin treatment.


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