Successful treatment of gefitinib-induced acute interstitial pneumonitis with corticosteroid and non-invasive BIPAP-ventilation.

This is the case of a 63 year-old male who was diagnosed adenocarcinoma in the left upper lung with ipsilateral malignant pleural effusion. At diagnosis it had already spread to left pulmonary HLN (hilar lymph node) and left supraclavicular lymph node and mediastinal lymph nodes. The patient received combined chemotherapy with bevacizumab and GP (gemcitabine and carboplatin) for 6 courses. Disease progression on chest CT scan was recognized, daily treatment with oral gefitinib (250 mg/day) was commenced. One week later, he was admitted under the impression of gefitinib-related interstitial pneumonitis, gefitinib was discontinued immediately and methylprednisolone with BIPAP assisted ventilation were used. The patient was followed up for 2 months after the start of treatment with corticosteroids and BIPAP assisted ventilation and remained well.