Pulmonary toxicity of antineoplastic drugs.

Pulmonary toxicity caused by antineoplastic drugs is becoming a more frequently recognized entity, and the number of drugs known or suspected of causing this disease is steadily increasing. In general, the initial clinical appearance includes both constitutional signs of malaise and fever, as well as pulmonary complaints. Some clinical signs may suggest a particular drug as the cause. The pathological condition also is generally nonspecific, but some clues may be present histologically that help define the causal agent. This is a review of the antineoplastic drugs that are associated with pulmonary toxicity. Clinical, laboratory, and pathological data are presented as useful information for practicing physicians. Although therapeutic maneuvers are limited, these are discussed with regard to each drug.