DOCETAXEL INDUCED LUNG INJURY (PNEUMONITIS): A CASE REPORT

Docetaxel is a chemotherapy drug commonly used to treat cancers such as head and neck, prostate, gastric, breast, and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The treatment demonstrates a 41% pulmonary response rate, while interstitial lung disease (ILD) remains a rare but serious adverse effect, occuring in less than 1- 5% of patients. Despite its rarity, docetaxel-induced ILD can lead to signicant lung damage and has a high mortality rate. In this article we report a case of a 55-year-old female who developed pulmonary toxicity after three cycles of docetaxel (75 mg/m², 120 mg IV). The adverse drug reaction (ADR) was evaluated using the WHO-UMC causality assessment scale, indicating a probable association. The patient responded well to steroid treatment after discontinuing docetaxel. This case underscores the importance of vigilant monitoring of pulmonary function in patients undergoing docetaxel treatment, as early detection and intervention can improve outcomes.