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Pulmonary Toxicity

Lung damage is the most serious side effect of certain chemotherapy drugs which may present itself as shortness of breath or cough, after a few treatments. It happens most commonly is patients receiving any of the following drugs:

• Bleomycin

• Busulfan

• Chlorambucil

In case of Bleomycin, patients should have a series of lung function studies done, prior, during and after usage of Bleomycin.

Signs and Symptoms:

Patients may experience any of the following:

• Shortness of breath

• Cough

• Fever

• Chest discomfort

Diagnosis:

When lung damage is suspected, the causing drug should be discontinued. Lung function tests as well as chest X-rays have to be done.

Treatment:

Patients are treated with Steroids , which may help with recovery from this problem. Other measures, such as Oxygen, Cough medicines, etc. may also be used.