Busulfan lung
M. Pearl
An uncommon, but lethal, toxic side effect of busulfan (Myleran) therapy
for chronic myelogenous leukemia is pulmonary fibrosis. A 16-month-old male
infant treated for 11 months with busulfan for chronic myelogenous leukemia
is, we believe, the first case of "busulfan lung" in the pediatric age
group to be reported. Progressive roentgenographic changes in the lung of a
diffuse intra-alveolar and interstitial pattern were noted. The patient
died after a four-day episode of cough, fever, and progressive dyspnea. At
autopsy, no evidence of infection or leukemic infiltrates were seen in the
lungs. Characteristic histologic findings as a result of busulfan therapy
were observed in the lung and pancreas.
