Bleomycin pulmonary toxicity has a negative impact on the outcome of patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma

William G. Martin, Kay M. Ristow, Thomas M. Habermann, Joseph P. Colgan, Thomas E. Witzig, Stephen M. Ansell

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

214 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: Bleomycin pulmonary toxicity (BPT) has been well described in Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) patients treated with bleomycin-containing chemotherapy regimens. The influence of this pulmonary complication, along with the omission of bleomycin from further chemotherapy, on overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in HL remains unclear. We reviewed our experience with BPT in HL to better delineate outcome and appropriate treatment in these patients. Patients and Methods: One hundred forty-one patients who were treated with bleomycin-containing chemotherapy for newly diagnosed HL between January 1986 and February 2003 were eligible for this retrospective review. BPT was defined by the presence of pulmonary symptoms, bilateral interstitial infiltrates, and no evidence of an infectious etiology. Results: BPT was observed in 18% of patients. Increasing age, doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine as initial therapy, and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor use were associated with the development of BPT. Patients with BPT had a median 5-year OS rate of 63% v 90% (P = .001) in unaffected patients. The mortality rate from BPT was 4.2% in all patients and 24% in patients who developed the pulmonary syndrome. BPT incidence and mortality were highest in patients older than 40 years. The omission of bleomycin had no impact on obtaining a complete remission, PFS, or OS. Conclusion: BPT results in a significant decrease in 5-year OS in patients who are treated for HL. Age a 40 years seems to add substantially to the risk. In patients who do not die from acute pulmonary toxicity, both OS and PFS seem equal, despite the omission of bleomycin.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)7614-7620
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology
Volume23
Issue number30
DOIs
StatePublished - 2005

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Research

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Bleomycin pulmonary toxicity has a negative impact on the outcome of patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this