[A case of alveolar hemorrhage caused by gefitinib]

Nihon Kokyuki Gakkai Zasshi. 2011 Jul;49(7):506-10.
[Article in Japanese]

Abstract

Although drug-induced interstitial pneumonitis caused by gefitinib is well recognized in Japan, reports of alveolar hemorrhage caused by gefitinib are very rare. We encountered a case of alveolar hemorrhage thought to be caused by gefitinib. A 74-year-old woman with non-small cell lung cancer (adenocarcinoma; cT4NOM0, stage IIIB) had been receiving gefitinib as second-line therapy from January 2009. However, bloody sputum and nasal bleeding were observed 2 weeks after the initiation of gefitinib therapy. Chest radiography and computed tomography revealed ground-glass opacities predominantly in the lower lung fields. Bronchoscopy was performed, and the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid obtained from the right B8 was bloody. Her symptoms and chest ground-glass opacities improved after the withdrawal of gefitinib. Based on these clinical findings, we diagnosed alveolar hemorrhage caused by gefitinib. If chest radiography or computed tomography findings of gefitinib-treated patients show ground-glass opacities, the possibility of not only interstitial pneumonitis, but also alveolar hemorrhage should be considered in the differential diagnosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / drug therapy
  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / drug therapy
  • Female
  • Gefitinib
  • Hemorrhage / chemically induced*
  • Humans
  • Lung Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Pulmonary Alveoli*
  • Quinazolines / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Quinazolines
  • Gefitinib