# Incidence and Clinical Characteristics of Drug-Induced Lung Disease Among Chemotherapy Recipients

## TL;DR

This study examines how often chemotherapy causes lung disease and describes its symptoms and treatment outcomes.

## Contribution

The study provides new data on the incidence and clinical features of drug-induced lung disease in chemotherapy patients.

## Key findings

- The incidence of drug-induced lung disease was 0.27% among chemotherapy recipients.
- Common symptoms included cough, dyspnea, fever, and sputum production.
- Steroid treatment improved symptoms in 95% of patients, though not statistically significant.

## Abstract

Background

Chemotherapeutic agents treat cancer and some inflammatory diseases due to their immunosuppressive effects. While effective, these drugs can cause drug-induced lung disease (DILD), a serious adverse effect with limited data regarding its incidence and clinical presentation.

Methods

This retrospective study included 20 patients diagnosed with DILD out of 1,231 patients treated with chemotherapeutic agents who presented with symptoms such as cough, fever, dyspnea, and chest pain at an oncology outpatient clinic. Patients underwent assessments including clinical examination, chest radiography, high-resolution computed tomography, and, in some cases, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. A statistical analysis was performed to determine the incidence and evaluate the clinical characteristics of DILD.

Results

The incidence of DILD among patients treated with chemotherapeutic agents was 0.27%. The female/male ratio was 11/9, with a mean age of 53.2 years. Common symptoms included cough (70%), dyspnea (60%), fever (50%), and sputum production (40%). Imaging revealed pleural effusion, reticular patterns, and consolidation in varying proportions. Common agents causing pulmonary toxicity included bleomycin, cyclophosphamide, and methotrexate, among others. Importantly, 95% of patients showed improvement with steroid treatment, although statistical significance was not achieved (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

The findings highlight the need for heightened awareness and monitoring of DILD in patients receiving chemotherapeutic treatments. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment initiation are crucial to managing this potentially severe complication. This study underscores the importance of considering pulmonary risks when prescribing chemotherapeutic agents and provides foundational data for future research.