Bleomycin pulmonary toxicity in adult Saudi patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma

Background: Bleomycin pulmonary toxicity (BPT) has been described in Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) patients treated with bleomycin-containing chemotherapy regimens. Methodology: We reviewed the records of 164 consecutive HL patients. Results: BPT was observed in 24 of 164 patients (15%). Older age and history of concomitant lung disease were significantly associated with approximately threefold (odds ratio: 3.38; 95% CI: 1.25-9.13; p = 0.02) and sevenfold (odds ratio: 7.19; 95% CI: 2.64-19.54; p [less than] 0.0001) increase in BPT risk, respectively. The actuarial 5-year progression-free and overall survival for BPT and non-BPT groups, were not significantly different. Conclusion: In Saudi Arabian HL patients, the risk of BPT and its effect on survival outcome were comparable to that reported from developed countries.