Abstract
Two cases with tongue cancer who died of interstitial pneumonia probably caused by peplomycin (PEP) are presented. Case 1 was a 58-year-old male with carcinoma of the tongue. He had a past history of carcinoma of the buccal mucosa 7 years before the first visit, which was treated by chemotherapy with PEP (40mg), radiotherapy and laser surgery. He underwent chemotherapy with PEP again (25mg), followed by radical operation. Immediately after surgery, interstitial pneumonia occurred and he died 48 days after the operation. Case 2 was a 71-year-old female with carcinoma of the tongue. She underwent partial glossectomy, but 13 months later late neck metastasis appeared. She underwent induction chemotherapy with CDDP, 5FU and PEP (25mg), and neck dissection was scheduled. However, interstitial pneumonia occurred, and she died 17 days after the chemotherapy. Great caution seems to be necessary for the occurrence of interstitial pneumonia even if the patient is not so old and the total dose of PEP is not high.
