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

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.