A Case of Bleomycin Induced Bronchiolitis Obliterans Organizing Pneumonia

Bleomycin에 의해 유발된 Bronchiolitis Obliterans Organizing Pneumonia 1예

There are numerous agents with potential toxic effects on the lung. In particular, cytotoxic drugs constitute the largest and most important group of agents associated with lung toxicity. Bleomycin is commonly used, either alone or in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents, in the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma(head and neck, esophagus, and genitourinary tract), lymphoma, and germ cell tumor. One of the therapeutic advantages of bleomycin is its minimal bone marrow toxicity. However, pulmonary toxicity is one of the most serious adverse side effects. Classically, pulmonary toxicity manifests as a diffuse interstitial process or less commonly as a hypersensitivity reaction. This pulmonary toxicity is generally considered to be dose related and can progress to a fatal fibrosis. It is also possible that bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia(BOOP) is another manifestation of bleomycin induced toxicity. Bleomycin induced BOOP is less common and has a favorable response to steroid therapy. Here we present a case that demonstrates a BOOP, secondary to a relatively small cumulative dose of bleomycin($225mg/m^2$), may be reversible.