DRUG-INDUCED PNEUMONITIS IN PEDIATRIC ONC OLOGY

A high index of suspicion for drug-induced lung disease should be main tained in children receiving anticancer therapy. Hypersensitivity pneu monitis due to methotrexate is the most common form. Other drugs, such as bleomycin and BCNU, have dose-dependent toxic effects responsible for pulmonary fibrosis, which can be precipitated by the concomitant u se of radiation therapy, oxygen therapy, and/or other anticancer agent s. Bronchoalveolar lavage rules out an opportunistic infection an may show a cell pattern suggestive of hypersensitivity pneumonitis or pulm onary fibrosis.