Tamoxifen-induced Lung Injury

Intern Med. 2017 Nov 1;56(21):2903-2906. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.8649-16. Epub 2017 Sep 25.

Abstract

Cases of drug-induced lung injury caused by tamoxifen are rare. A 74-year-old man underwent surgery for the treatment of right breast cancer; tamoxifen was administered as an adjuvant therapy after surgery. The patient developed cough and dyspnea and chest computed tomography showed ground glass opacification in the lower lobe of the right lung. He was diagnosed with tamoxifen-induced lung injury. The diagnosis was made based on the exclusion of other causes and recurrence with the re-administration of tamoxifen. Physicians should therefore be aware of the potential for the development of tamoxifen-induced lung injury.

Keywords: breast cancer; drug-induced lung injury; tamoxifen.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / adverse effects*
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / therapeutic use
  • Breast Neoplasms, Male / drug therapy*
  • Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Humans
  • Lung Injury / chemically induced*
  • Male
  • Tamoxifen / adverse effects*
  • Tamoxifen / therapeutic use
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal
  • Tamoxifen