Eosinophilic lung disease under chemotherapy with oxaliplatin for colorectal cancer

A 60-year-old woman with a history of unresectable colon adenocarcinoma was treated by chemotherapy with a combination of oxaliplatin with leucovorin and fluorouracil. Progressive dyspnea and bilateral pulmonary interstitial infiltrates developed. Bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage confirmed pulmonary eosinophilia. Clinical and radiologic aspects of eosinophilic lung disease cleared after cessation of this combination of chemotherapy and did not recur after reintroduction of leucovorin/fluorouracil alone, suggesting that oxaliplatin was the causative agent. Care was taken to rule out other possible causes for eosinophilic pneumonia.