Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 15, 2026

Detection of Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Haematological Malignancy Patients by using Lateral-flow Technology
08:01

Detection of Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Haematological Malignancy Patients by using Lateral-flow Technology

Published on: March 22, 2012

The spectrum of pulmonary infections in cancer patients

K V Rolston1

  • 1Section of Infections Diseases, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA. krolston@mdanderson.org

Current Opinion in Oncology
|June 29, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Cancer patients frequently develop lung infections. The type of infection, including bacterial, fungal, and viral, depends on the patient's specific immune system deficits, impacting treatment strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Pulmonary Medicine
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Oncology

Background:

  • The lung is a frequent site of infection in cancer patients.
  • Pulmonary infections in cancer patients are diverse and influenced by specific immunologic deficits.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the spectrum of pulmonary infections in cancer patients.
  • To correlate infection types with underlying immunologic status and cancer type.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of pulmonary infections in immunocompromised cancer patients.
  • Categorization of infections based on host immune status (neutropenia, cellular, humoral) and cancer-related factors (neoplasms, brain/head and neck tumors).

Main Results:

  • Neutropenia: Predominance of gram-negative bacterial infections early, with fungal infections (Aspergillus, Zygomycetes, Fusarium) if prolonged.
  • Impaired cellular immunity: High incidence of viral (cytomegalovirus, herpes viruses), bacterial (Legionella, Nocardia), mycobacterial, and fungal infections, including Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia.
  • Impaired humoral immunity: Increased risk of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae infections.
  • Pulmonary neoplasms: Frequent postobstructive pneumonitis, lung abscess, and empyema due to mixed bacterial pathogens.
  • Brain/Head and Neck Cancers: Common aspiration pneumonitis from oropharyngeal/upper airway organisms.

Conclusions:

  • Pulmonary infection spectrum in cancer patients is dictated by specific immunologic deficits.
  • Coexisting deficits increase susceptibility to a wide range of opportunistic pathogens.
  • Understanding these patterns is crucial for timely diagnosis and management of lung infections in cancer care.

More Related Videos

Endobronchial Ultrasound-guided Intratumoral Injection of Cisplatin for the Treatment of Isolated Mediastinal Recurrence of Lung Cancer04:04

Endobronchial Ultrasound-guided Intratumoral Injection of Cisplatin for the Treatment of Isolated Mediastinal Recurrence of Lung Cancer

Published on: February 12, 2017

An Ex vivo Assay to Study Candida albicans Hyphal Morphogenesis in the Gastrointestinal Tract07:42

An Ex vivo Assay to Study Candida albicans Hyphal Morphogenesis in the Gastrointestinal Tract

Published on: July 1, 2020

Related Concept Videos

Other Pulmonary Disorders01:17

Other Pulmonary Disorders

Respiratory disorders encompass a range of conditions with varying levels of severity. Asthma, marked by chronic airway inflammation and hypersensitivity, is one such condition. It can lead to airway obstruction due to factors like bronchial spasms, mucosal edema, increased mucus secretion, or epithelial damage. Asthma triggers are diverse, ranging from allergens to emotional upset, and treatment focuses on both immediate relief through bronchodilators and long-term inflammation suppression.
Pneumonia I: Introduction01:30

Pneumonia I: Introduction

Pneumonia is an acute respiratory infection that targets the lungs, specifically the alveoli. These tiny air sacs, essential for oxygen exchange, become engorged with pus and fluid, severely hindering breathing, decreasing oxygen absorption, and causing significant pain and discomfort during respiration.
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment01:30

Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment

Pneumonia poses the potential for numerous complications that warrant consideration. These complications include the following:
Pulmonary Tuberculosis I01:29

Pulmonary Tuberculosis I

Tuberculosis, often called TB, is a contagious illness primarily caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It mainly affects the lung parenchyma but can also impact other body parts.
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-III: Symptoms and Complications.01:25

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-III: Symptoms and Complications.

Understanding the variety of primary symptoms and systemic complications that characterize chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is crucial for healthcare professionals.
Symptoms of COPD can be classified as primary or systemic. Primary symptoms relate to reduced airflow, while systemic or extrapulmonary symptoms relate to COPD's broader impact on the body.
Primary Symptoms of COPD:
Pneumonia I: Introduction01:29

Pneumonia I: Introduction

Pneumonia is an infection of the lower respiratory tract that leads to inflammation of the lung parenchyma, often resulting in the accumulation of inflammatory exudate in the alveoli and airways. Unlike the watery, low-protein fluid exudate in pulmonary edema, the exudate in this case is a thick fluid rich in immune cells, proteins, and debris produced during infection and inflammation.This impairs gas exchange and can lead to consolidation of lung tissue. The infection may be caused by a...