Factors Affecting the Pulmonary Toxicity of Bleomycin

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Abstract
Bleomycin induced lung toxicity was retrospectively analyzed in 39 patients with vulval malignancy (group A) and in 23 patients with head and neck carcinoma (group B). Group A consisted of non-smokers, mean age 69.8 years, who received the drug as intravenous injections. Group B contained mainly heavy smokers, mean age 60.6 years, treated with intramuscular injections of bleomycin. In group A, 6 patients (15.4%) and in group B only one patient (4.3%) developed typical pulmonary fibrosis. Advanced age, a high total dose of bleomycin, and intravenous bolus injections of the drug seemed to be major factors responsible for the development of lung fibrosis, whereas smoking had no obvious effect.

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