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Published on: February 12, 2017
Chemotherapy in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and small-cell lung cancer with poor lung function
Xiyue Zhang1, Wei Li1, Chunyan Li1
1Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China.
Background:
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic interstitial lung disease with unclear pathogenesis. IPF is considered as a risk factor for lung cancer. Compared to other lung cancers, small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) has a lower incidence, but has a more aggressive course. Patients with IPF and SCLC have a lower survival rate, more difficult treatment, and poorer prognosis.
Case Presentation:
Case 1 was of a 66-year-old man with IPF for 5 years, who was admitted to our hospital for dyspnea. Case 2 was of a 68-year-old woman, who presented with chest pains, cough, and dyspnea. Both patients had extremely poor lung function. High-resolution computed tomography and pathology revealed that both patients had IPF and SCLC. Chemotherapy comprising nedaplatin (80 mg/m2) and etoposide (100 mg for 5 days) was initiated for both patients. Antifibrotic agents were continued during the chemotherapeutic regimen. Both patients showed improvement in their condition after treatment.
Conclusion:
The favorable outcomes in these 2 cases suggests that chemotherapy is worth considering in the management of patients having SCLC and IPF with poor lung function.
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