Journal of International Medical Research (Jun 2022)

pneumonia in a patient receiving chemotherapy for advanced prostatic cancer: a case report

  • Chen Tiantian,
  • Yan Jin,
  • Zhang Jing,
  • Feng Jing,
  • Jin Xiaoyan

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/03000605221105358
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 50

Abstract

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Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) in advanced prostatic cancer patients not receiving high-dose glucocorticoids has been reported rarely. A 73-year-old man underwent chemotherapy with cisplatin and docetaxel for advanced prostatic cancer. After nine cycles of chemotherapy, he developed a high fever, dry cough, shortness of breath, and severe fatigue, with rapid-onset hypoxic respiratory failure. Investigations demonstrated bilateral ground-glass opacities with positive bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) for Pneumocystis jirovecii by next-generation sequencings (NGS). The patient recovered well with treatment with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, caspofungin, and corticosteroids. This case report describes a case of PJP in a patient with a solid tumor who did not receive high-dose glucocorticoids and emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.