Pulmonary Toxicity

What is it?

Pulmonary means having to do with the lungs. Pulmonary toxicity is a term for lung damage. This damage may include inflammation (pneumonitis) or scarring (fibrosis). Inflammation lowers the amount of oxygen that your lungs can take in. Scarring reduces the amount of air you can breathe in.

What causes pulmonary toxicity?

Pulmonary toxicity may be caused by:

• Chemotherapy.
• Radiation therapy to the lungs.
• Environmental or occupational exposures (toxins).
• Certain medications.
• Genetics.

Pulmonary toxicity from cancer treatment may happen during or shortly after treatment or may be a late effect of treatment, happening months to years after the end of treatment. Pulmonary toxicity may go away or be permanent, and late-onset changes are more likely to be permanent.

Pulmonary toxicity problems can impact your ability to do daily activities. You may have trouble breathing, be short of breath, get tired easily, have a chronic cough, or have discomfort with breathing when lying on your back.

How is it managed?

Lung toxicity is managed by:

• Corticosteroids: Steroids decrease inflammation.
• Oxygen Therapy: Oxygen is given through a tube into your nose. Supplemental oxygen will increase the amount of oxygen in your blood.
• Narcotics: Pain medication can calm the breathing center in your brain, decreasing the amount of work it takes to breathe.
• Pulmonary Rehabilitation: This includes medications, emotional support, exercise regimens, breathing training, and nutritional counseling to promote daily function.

Ways to take care of yourself if you have pulmonary toxicity include:

• Stop smoking. Avoid places where other people are smoking.
• Exercise daily. This may be casual walking, swimming, or light gardening.
• Prop your head up when lying down.

CT scan, X-rays, blood tests, and lung function tests may be done to check your pulmonary health.

When should I contact my care team?

If you have symptoms of lung damage, contact your care provider right away:

• Difficulty breathing.
• Shortness of breath.
• Inability to exercise or tiring easily.
• Blue tinge to skin, lips, or nails.

Discomfort or difficulty breathing when lying on your back.