Abstract
Background. Thalidomide has been used in the treatment of multiple myeloma and other malignancies due to its immunomodulating and antiangiogenetic effects. Thalidomide-induced interstitial lung disease (ILD) is very rare as an adverse effect. Case. A 76-year-old woman with refractory multiple myeloma was admitted with disease progression and fatigue 6 months after treatment with thalidomide. Although she had no respiratory symptom, chest radiographs showed infiltrative opacities. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid demonstrated marked lymphcytosis and transbronchial lung biopsy specimens were consistent with interstitial pneumonia. The infiltrative opacities in her chest radiographs improved after the withdrawal of thalidomide, which led to a diagnosis of thalidomide-induced ILD. Conclusion. This case was thought to be asymptomatic drug-induced ILD due to the use of thalidomide, therefore it might be necessary to check chest imaging periodically during thalidomide treatment.
