Epidemiology
- Indications
- Colon Cancer: either with or without 5-fluorouracil
- Lung Cancer
Pharmacology
- Semi-synthetic camptothecin
Adverse Effects
- Interstitial Pneumonitis (see Interstitial Lung Disease-Etiology)
- Epidemiology: 1.8% in early Japanese trials
- In US trials: cough and dyspnea occurred in 20% of cases (although many of these cases had intrathoracic malignancy) -> however, incidence of srioud pulmonary toxicity iwas 0.4%
- Risk Factors for Toxicity: radition therapy, pre-existing lung disease
- Diagnosis
- CXR/Chest CT: reticulonodular infiltrates
- Clinical: dyspnea, fever
- Respiratory failure may occur
- Treatment: corticosteroids may be useful
References