Bleomycin pulmonary toxicity does not adversely affect the outcome of patients with Hodgkin lymphoma

Bleomycin pulmonary toxicity (BPT) is a well-described complication of bleomycin-containing regimens. Previous data on risk factors and the impact of BPT on survival in Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) were conflicting. We reviewed 253HL patients treated with adriamycin, bleomycin, vinblastine, dacarbazine (ABVD) at the Princess Margaret Hospital from 1999 to 2009 to examine the incidence and risk factors for BPT, and the effect of BPT on survival. BPT was defined by pulmonary symptoms, bilateral interstitial infiltrates on computed tomography, and the absence of infection. Kaplan-Meier estimates were used to compare overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) between groups. The incidence of BPT was low (11%). Age 45 (OR=2.5) and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor use (OR=3.6) were identified as predictors of BPT on multivariable logistic models. At a follow-up of 5 years, OS and PFS were 88% and 82%, respectively. Neither BPT nor bleomycin discontinuation had significant impact on survival outcomes.