Interstitial pneumonitis during rituximab-containing chemotherapy for primary central nervous system lymphomas: a case report and review of literature

Abstract Background Primary central nervous system lymphoma(PCNSL) is a rare kind of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Rituximab combined with high-dose methotrexate, cytarabine and dexamethasone (R-MAD regimen) were reported effective for PCNSL patients. Rituximab can cause several side effects, including feve...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Yuchen Wu, Xuefei Sun, Jing Liu, Jun Qian, Xueyan Bai, Yuedan Chen, Yuanbo Liu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2018-01-01
Series:Chinese Neurosurgical Journal
Subjects:
Online Access:http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s41016-017-0106-3
Description
Summary:Abstract Background Primary central nervous system lymphoma(PCNSL) is a rare kind of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Rituximab combined with high-dose methotrexate, cytarabine and dexamethasone (R-MAD regimen) were reported effective for PCNSL patients. Rituximab can cause several side effects, including fever, chills and rigors. Case presentation In this case report, we demonstrate rituximab-induced interstitial pneumonitis in a PCNSL patient who has been treated with R-MAD regimen. The patient recovered after treatment and she remains complete remission after following consolidation chemotherapy. Conclusions Here is no report of potential fatal complications of Rituximab like interstitial pneumonitis nowadays in PCNSL patients. As Rituximab is widely used, physicians should raise their awareness of this rare complication and detect RTX-ILD in early stage.
ISSN:2057-4967