Nonresolving pneumonia in the setting of malignancy

This article reviews recent literature and experience in the diagnosis of nonresolving and slowly resolving pneumonia as it pertains to malignancy.

Malignancy must be considered as an important cause of pneumonia that resolves slowly or has incomplete resolution. Airway obstruction is more common than malignant infiltration as a cause of pneumonia that does not resolve appropriately. Infection due to resistant or unusual organisms must also be considered in the differential diagnosis.

Nonresolving pneumonia remains an important clinical challenge. Bronchoscopic evaluation in conjunction with computed tomography and PET scanning is still the most important technique for diagnosis.