SPECIAL SELECTED TOPICS- RESPIRATORY SYSTEM DISORDERS-SSTRSDO-QAA 022

List the most common therapy-related pulmonary complications.

Therapy-related pulmonary complications occur following medications, radiation, chemotherapy, oxygen therapy, or bone marrow transplantation. Drug-induced pneumonitis is commonly caused by bleomycin, amiodarone, methotrexate, and nitrofurantoin. Radiation therapy may produce acute radiation pneumonitis followed by pulmonary fibrosis.

Oxygen toxicity causes diffuse alveolar damage after prolonged administration of high oxygen concentrations. Chemotherapy may predispose to opportunistic pulmonary infections due to immunosuppression.

Pulmonary edema may occur after massive blood transfusion or fluid overload. Bronchiolitis obliterans may develop after lung or stem cell transplantation. Pulmonary embolism is another important treatment-related complication.

Early recognition and withdrawal of the offending agent improve outcomes. Careful monitoring minimizes therapy-associated lung injury.

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DR.C.GANESAN M.D

PROFESSOR OF MEDICINE