Bleomycin-induced pulmonary toxicity in Hodgkin`s lymphoma patients

Bleomycin used as part of many chemo-therapeutic programs for treating Hodgkin lymphoma is associated with pulmonary toxicity. Development of complications after mediastinal radiotherapy is also well-known. However, the synergistic effect of the combination of radiotherapy and bleomycin is considered in the literature much less frequently and mainly when using the total focal doses (SOD) of 36 – 40 Gy. Since 1998 the chemo-radiotherapeutic regimens applied to the treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma in the MRRC (Obninsk) has involved subradical TTD of 20 – 30 Gy. The goal of the study is to evaluate pulmonary toxicity in Hodgkin lymphoma patients treated with chemo-radiotherapy involving ABVD and mediastinal treatment with TTD of 20 – 30 Gy.

Methods. A series of 142 Hodgkin lymphoma patients received ABVD and mediastinal radiotherapy at the TTD 20 – 30 Gy. Conventional film and digital chest X-rays, linear and digital tomograms taken at different stages of treatment and follow up were analysed.

Results. Changes in lungs in the form of a pathologic pulmonary pattern (interstitial pneumonitis) were seen in 39 (27.5%) of 142 patients. In 10 (25.6%) of 39 patients focal or confluent pneumonitis infiltration were found, that was 7% of the whole study group. Clinical evidence of bleomycin-induced pneumonitis was found in 6 (15.4%) of 39 patients. With follow-up terms up to 60 months fibrotic changes in lungs were absent. The occurrence of radiation pneumonitis was 17.6%, radiation fibrosis – 35.9%. Fibrotic changes were mainly grade 1 (94.1%). In HL patients with bleomycin-induced pneumonitis the occurrence of radiation pneumonitis was 43.6% (17 of 39 patients), radiation fibrosis – 58.9% (23 of 39 patients) while the corresponding figures for patients who did not have bleomycin-induced pneumonitis were 8.7% (9 of 103 patients) and 27.2% (28 of 103 patients), respectively (p < 0.001).

Conclusion. A statistically significant increase in occurrence of radiation pneumonitis and radiation fibrosis was defined in HL patients who suffered bleomycin-induced pneumonitis.

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