Bleomycin

Also Known As: Blenoxane®

Class: Antitumor antibiotic

Late Effect (1st of 1)

Pulmonary fibrosis (loss of elasticity in the lungs causing shortness of breath)

Your risk is greater if:

• You were young when you were treated.
• You received a dose greater than 400 U/m².
• It was combined with:
  - Other therapy toxic to the lungs (e.g., methotrexate, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin)
  - Radiation therapy to the chest, spine, or total body.
  
• ­You have kidney problems.
• You have high concentrations of oxygen during anesthesia.
• ­You smoke.

Recommended Evaluation

• ­Physical exam yearly
• Pulmonary function tests at the end of treatment and then every 2-3 years and before anesthesia (Make sure you discuss your medical history with the anesthesiologist if you need to have surgery.)
• Chest x-ray at the end of treatment and then every 2-3 years
• Chest x-ray before anesthesia

Management

• Do not smoke.
• Do aerobic exercise regularly to improve stamina and endurance.
• ­Do not scuba dive.
• ­Be sure to discuss your medical history with your doctor and make sure he/she is aware of the risk of worsening fibrosis with high oxygen during anesthesia.
• Have flu vaccine shots yearly.