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Prompt control of bronchorrhea in patients with bronchioloalveolar carcinoma treated with gefitinib (Iressa)

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Abstract

Bronchorrhea is a condition in which voluminous sputum is produced daily, typically seen with bronchioloalveolar cell carcinoma (BAC). Unless the underlying cancer can be controlled, bronchorrhea causes substantial symptomatic distress. We report two cases of bronchorrhea associated with advanced BAC successfully treated with the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor, gefitinib. Prompt resolution of these patients’ bronchorrhea, dyspnea, and supplemental oxygen requirements are detailed. Given the limited success of alternative interventions, a trial of gefitinib should be considered for patients with bronchorrhea secondary to BAC.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Thoracic Oncology, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and the Weil Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, USA

    Daniel T. Milton, Mark G. Kris & Jorge E. Gomez

  2. Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and the Weil Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, USA

    Marc B. Feinstein

  3. Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Howard Building, Room 1018, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021, USA

    Daniel T. Milton

Authors
  1. Daniel T. Milton
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  2. Mark G. Kris
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  3. Jorge E. Gomez
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  4. Marc B. Feinstein
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Correspondence to Daniel T. Milton.

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Milton, D.T., Kris, M.G., Gomez, J.E. et al. Prompt control of bronchorrhea in patients with bronchioloalveolar carcinoma treated with gefitinib (Iressa). Support Care Cancer 13, 70–72 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-004-0717-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-004-0717-z

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