Gemcitabine-related pulmonary toxicity

BACKGROUND: Gemcitabine is an increasingly used and generally well tolerated anticancer drug. Rarely, it leads to potentially fatal pulmonary toxicity. CASE DESCRIPTIONS AND RESULTS: We describe the clinical features of 5 patients with gemcitabine-related pulmonary toxicity. Due to early diagnosis, prompt discontinuation of the drug, and treatment with steroids, toxicity was reversible in all cases. CONCLUSION: Early recognition of gemcitabine-related pulmonary toxicity is mandatory.