Bleomycin-Induced Pulmonary Toxicity in Cancer Patients Treated at Tertiary Care Hospital

Aamira Ali; Faisal Mehmood; Huma Ashraf; Muhammad Umair Tufail; Amna Ashraf; Syed Fawad Mashhadi

doi:10.51253/pafmj.v73i5.7860

Authors

Aamira Ali Department of Medicine, Combined Military Hospital/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Rawalpindi Pakistan
Faisal Mehmood Department of Medicine, Combined Military Hospital, Lahore/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan
Huma Ashraf Department of Medicine, Combined Military Hospital, Lahore/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan
Muhammad Umair Tufail Department of Medicine, Combined Military Hospital/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Rawalpindi Pakistan
Amna Ashraf Department of Medicine, Combined Military Hospital, Lahore/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan
Syed Fawad Mashhadi Department of Community Medicine, Army Medical College/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Rawalpindi Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51253/pafmj.v73i5.7860

Keywords:

Bleomycin, Germ cell tumours, Hodgkin's lymphoma, Pulmonary toxicity, smoking

Abstract

Objective: To report the frequency of Bleomycin-induced pulmonary toxicity in cancer patients treated with chemotherapy
regimens containing Bleomycin at Combined Military Hospital, Rawalpindi Pakistan.

Study Design: Case series.

Place and Duration of Study: Combined Military Hospital, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Jan 2018 to May 2019.

Methodology: A total of one hundred and three (n=103) diagnosed cases of germ cell tumours and Hodgkin's lymphoma who were candidates of Bleomycin-based regimen aged 18-65 years were enrolled in the study. Bleomycin toxicity was assessed after four cycles of Bleomycin-based therapy.

Results: Bleomycin toxicity was observed in 24.3% (n=25/103) of patients in our study. No significant difference was observed in toxicity for age, gender, and cancer type (p>0.05 in all cases). Toxicity was observed in a significantly higher number of patients with smoking history as compared to non-smokers (64% vs. 36% p=0.001).

Conclusion: A significant percentage of patients who were on Bleomycin-based chemotherapy experienced Bleomycin-related toxicity, which was observed in a significantly higher number of patients with a smoking history as compared to non-smokers.